Optimization Methodology of Polar Direct-Drive Illumination for the National Ignition Facility

Improved laser illumination uniformity drives shocks and implosions to create more extreme high energy density environments. Predominantly, the geometry of experiments that can be performed is dictated by the layout of beams at laser facilities, limiting interfacility and multiscale investigations. This Letter presents the first automated, algorithmic approach for generating illumination configurations for high energy density experiments. The method is demonstrated in comparison to a polar direct-drive solid target experiment at the National Ignition Facility. The new illumination configuration is simulated to create greater than ×3 higher peak pressure and almost ×2 higher density by maintaining better shock uniformity. The optimization process is performed with reduced computational expense and isotropic plasma profiles while accounting for the impact of cross-beam energy transfer.