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Updated: May 1, 2026

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
Published on: April 12, 2017
Novel characterization of capsule x-ray drive at the National Ignition Facility
S A MacLaren1, M B Schneider1, K Widmann1
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
Abstract:
Indirect drive experiments at the National Ignition Facility are designed to achieve fusion by imploding a fuel capsule with x rays from a laser-driven hohlraum. Previous experiments have been unable to determine whether a deficit in measured ablator implosion velocity relative to simulations is due to inadequate models of the hohlraum or ablator physics. ViewFactor experiments allow for the first time a direct measure of the x-ray drive from the capsule point of view. The experiments show a 15%-25% deficit relative to simulations and thus explain nearly all of the disagreement with the velocity data. In addition, the data from this open geometry provide much greater constraints on a predictive model of laser-driven hohlraum performance than the nominal ignition target.
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