An experimental platform for investigation of the Zeeman effect in strong magnetic fields

An experimental platform is developed for the investigation of the Zeeman effect in strong magnetic fields. Mega-Gauss magnetic fields are generated by a 1 MA Zebra pulsed power machine using metal rod loads. A gas jet or CH oil on the load is the source of hydrogen. Excited hydrogen atoms are backlit by black body radiation from the rod load. Hydrogen absorption spectra are recorded with a grating spectrometer and intensified gated CCD camera. The experimental platform enables the observation of the quadratic Zeeman effect in hydrogen gas jets using the spectral shift of the central line in the Zeeman triplet. Other gases can be studied using the gas jet method.

X-ray imaging and radiation transport effects on cylindrical implosions

Magnetization of inertial confinement implosions is a promising means of improving their performance, owing to the potential reduction of energy losses within the target and mitigation of hydrodynamic instabilities. In particular, cylindrical implosions are useful for studying the influence of a magnetic field, thanks to their axial symmetry. Here, we present experimental results from cylindrical implosions on the OMEGA-60 laser using a 40-beam, 14.5 kJ, 1.5 ns drive and an initial seed magnetic field of B₀ = 30 T along the axes of the targets, compared with reference results without an imposed B-field. Implosions were characterized using time-resolved x-ray imaging from two orthogonal lines of sight. We found that the data agree well with magnetohydrodynamic simulations, once radiation transport within the imploding plasma is considered. We show that for a correct interpretation of the data in these types of experiments, explicit radiation transport must be taken into account.

Design of a Multi-Monochromatic X-ray Imager (MMI) for Kr K-shell line emission

The Multi-Monochromatic X-ray Imager (MMI) is a time-gated spectrometer used in implosion experiments at the OMEGA laser facility. From the data, electron temperature and density spatial distributions can be obtained at different implosion times. Previous MMI designs used Ar K-shell emission (3-6 keV) as a spectroscopic tracer and provided a spectral resolution of around 20 eV. However, Ar K-shell line emission becomes less useful at electron temperatures above 2 keV due to over-ionization. Kr K-shell (12-16 keV) has been shown to be an attractive alternative to diagnose hot implosion cores in recent publications. The purpose of this paper is to show a new point design that allows the MMI to detect this higher photon energy range with suitable spectral resolution. The algorithm used to find the optimal design couples a ray-tracing code and an exhaustive parameter space search. This algorithm may be useful as a tool to find optimal MMI designs for other purposes, i.e., other spectral regions for other spectroscopic tracers. The main change between the two designs is the replacement of the multi-layer mirror with a flat Bragg Ge (220) crystal. The final Kr K-shell MMI design has a photon energy range from 12 to 16.1 keV.

Quadratic Zeeman effect in hydrogen at 2-3 MG magnetic fields

The Zeeman effect is used for measurement of magnetic fields in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. Magnetic fields in atmospheres of magnetic white dwarf stars are in the range 40 kG-1 GG. The quadratic Zeeman effect results in the additional split and shift of lines for magnetic fields >2 MG. Hydrogen Balmer lines were studied in magnetic fields delivered by a 1 MA pulse power generator. The magnetic field was generated by rod loads 0.8-1 mm in diameter. A droplet of CH oil on the load center was the source of hydrogen. A low ionized oil layer was backlit by blackbody emission from the rod with a temperature of 0.5-0.6 eV. Zeeman splitting of H-alpha and H-beta absorption lines were with a grating spectrometer. A spectral shift of the central component of the triplet indicated the quadratic Zeeman effect in hydrogen lines.

Observation and diagnostic application of Kr K-shell emission in magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments at Z

In a series of Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments performed at the Z pulsed power accelerator of Sandia National Laboratories, beryllium liners filled with deuterium gas pressures in the 4-8 atm range and a tracer amount of krypton were imploded. At the collapse of the cylindrical implosion, temperatures in the 1-3 keV range and atom number densities of ∼10²³ cm^-3 were expected. The plasma was magnetized with a 10 T axial magnetic field. Krypton was added to the fuel for diagnosing implosion plasma conditions. Krypton K-shell line emission was recorded with the CRITR time-integrated transmission crystal x-ray spectrometer. The observation shows n = 2 to n = 1 line emissions in B-, Be-, Li-, and He-like Kr ions and is characteristic of the highest electron temperatures achieved in the thermonuclear plasma. Detailed modeling of the krypton atomic kinetics and radiation physics permits us to interpret the composite spectral feature, and it demonstrates that the spectrum is temperature sensitive. We discuss temperatures extracted from the krypton data analysis for experiments performed with several filling pressures.

Streaked sub-ps-resolution x-ray line shapes and implications for solid-density plasma dynamics (invited)

A high-resolution x-ray spectrometer was coupled with an ultrafast x-ray streak camera to produce time-resolved line shape spectra measured from hot, solid-density plasmas. A Bragg crystal was placed near laser-produced plasma to maximize throughput; alignment tolerances were established by ray tracing. The streak camera produced single-shot, time-resolved spectra, heavily sloped due to photon time-of-flight differences, with sufficient reproducibility to accumulate photon statistics. The images are time-calibrated by the slope of streaked spectra and dewarped to generate spectra emitted at different times defined at the source. The streaked spectra demonstrate the evolution of spectral shoulders and other features on ps timescales, showing the feasibility of plasma parameter measurements on the rapid timescales necessary to study high-energy-density plasmas.

Cylindrical implosion platform for the study of highly magnetized plasmas at Laser MegaJoule

Investigating the potential benefits of the use of magnetic fields in inertial confinement fusion experiments has given rise to experimental platforms like the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion approach at the Z-machine (Sandia National Laboratories) or its laser-driven equivalent at OMEGA (Laboratory for Laser Energetics). Implementing these platforms at MegaJoule-scale laser facilities, such as the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) or the National Ignition Facility (NIF), is crucial to reaching self-sustained nuclear fusion and enlarges the level of magnetization that can be achieved through a higher compression. In this paper, we present a complete design of an experimental platform for magnetized implosions using cylindrical targets at LMJ. A seed magnetic field is generated along the axis of the cylinder using laser-driven coil targets, minimizing debris and increasing diagnostic access compared with pulsed power field generators. We present a comprehensive simulation study of the initial B field generated with these coil targets, as well as two-dimensional extended magnetohydrodynamics simulations showing that a 5 T initial B field is compressed up to 25 kT during the implosion. Under these circumstances, the electrons become magnetized, which severely modifies the plasma conditions at stagnation. In particular, in the hot spot the electron temperature is increased (from 1 keV to 5 keV) while the density is reduced (from 40g/cm^{3} to 7g/cm^{3}). We discuss how these changes can be diagnosed using x-ray imaging and spectroscopy, and particle diagnostics. We propose the simultaneous use of two dopants in the fuel (Ar and Kr) to act as spectroscopic tracers. We show that this introduces an effective spatial resolution in the plasma which permits an unambiguous observation of the B-field effects. Additionally, we present a plan for future experiments of this kind at LMJ.

Development and integration of photonic Doppler velocimetry as a diagnostic for radiation driven experiments on the Z-machine

Plasma density measurements are key to a wide variety of high-energy-density (HED) and laboratory astrophysics experiments. We present a creative application of photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) from which time- and spatially resolved electron density measurements can be made. PDV has been implemented for the first time in close proximity, ∼6 cm, to the high-intensity radiation flux produced by a z-pinch dynamic hohlraum on the Z-machine. Multiple PDV probes were incorporated into the photoionized gas cell platform. Two probes, spaced 4 mm apart, were used to assess plasma density and uniformity in the central region of the gas cell during the formation of the plasma. Electron density time histories with subnanosecond resolution were extracted from PDV measurements taken from the gas cells fielded with neon at 15 Torr. As well, a null shot with no gas fill in the cell was fielded. A major achievement was the low noise high-quality measurements made in the harsh environment produced by the mega-joules of x-ray energy emitted at the collapse of the z-pinch implosion. To evaluate time dependent radiation induced effects in the fiber optic system, two PDV noise probes were included on either side of the gas cell. The success of this alternative use of PDV demonstrates that it is a reliable, precise, and affordable new electron density diagnostic for radiation driven experiments and more generally HED experiments.

Solid-Density Ion Temperature from Redshifted and Double-Peaked Stark Line Shapes

Heβ spectral line shapes are important for diagnosing temperature and density in many dense plasmas. This work presents Heβ line shapes measured with high spectral resolution from solid-density plasmas with minimized gradients. The line shapes show hallmark features of Stark broadening, including quantifiable redshifts and double-peaked structure with a significant dip between the peaks; these features are compared to models through a Markov chain Monte Carlo framework. Line shape theory using the dipole approximation can fit the width and peak separation of measured line shapes, but it cannot resolve an ambiguity between electron density n_{e} and ion temperature T_{i}, since both parameters influence the strength of quasistatic ion microfields. Here a line shape model employing a full Coulomb interaction for the electron broadening computes self-consistent line widths and redshifts through the monopole term; redshifts have different dependence on plasma parameters and thus resolve the n_{e}-T_{i} ambiguity. The measured line shapes indicate densities that are 80-100% of solid, identifying a regime of highly ionized but well-tamped plasma. This analysis also provides the first strong evidence that dense ions and electrons are not in thermal equilibrium, despite equilibration times much shorter than the duration of x-ray emission; cooler ions may arise from nonclassical thermalization rates or anomalous energy transport. The experimental platform and diagnostic technique constitute a promising new approach for studying ion-electron equilibration in dense plasmas.

Observation of ionization trends in a laboratory photoionized plasma experiment at Z

We report experimental and modeling results for the charge state distribution of laboratory photoionized neon plasmas in the first systematic study over nearly an order of magnitude range of ionization parameter ξ∝F/N_{e}. The range of ξ is achieved by flexibility in the experimental platform to adjust either the x-ray drive flux F at the sample or the electron number density N_{e} or both. Experimental measurements of photoionized plasma conditions over such a range of parameters enable a stringent test of atomic kinetics models used within codes that are applied to photoionized plasmas in the laboratory and astrophysics. From experimental transmission data, ion areal densities are extracted by spectroscopic analysis that is independent of atomic kinetics modeling. The measurements reveal the net result of the competition between photon-driven ionization and electron-driven recombination atomic processes as a function of ξ as it affects the charge state distribution. Results from radiation-hydrodynamics modeling calculations with detailed inline atomic kinetics modeling are compared with the experimental results. There is good agreement in the mean charge and overall qualitative similarities in the trends observed with ξ but significant quantitative differences in the fractional populations of individual ions.

Temperature distributions and gradients in laser-heated plasmas relevant to magnetized liner inertial fusion

We present two-dimensional temperature measurements of magnetized and unmagnetized plasma experiments performed at Z relevant to the preheat stage in magnetized liner inertial fusion. The deuterium gas fill was doped with a trace amount of argon for spectroscopy purposes, and time-integrated spatially resolved spectra and narrow-band images were collected in both experiments. The spectrum and image data were included in two separate multiobjective analysis methods to extract the electron temperature spatial distribution T_{e}(r,z). The results indicate that the magnetic field increases T_{e}, the axial extent of the laser heating, and the magnitude of the radial temperature gradients. Comparisons with simulations reveal that the simulations overpredict the extent of the laser heating and underpredict the temperature. Temperature gradient scale lengths extracted from the measurements also permit an assessment of the importance of nonlocal heat transport.

X-ray heating and electron temperature of laboratory photoionized plasmas

We discuss the experimental and modeling results for the x-ray heating and temperature of laboratory photoionized plasmas. A method is used to extract the electron temperature based on the analysis of transmission spectroscopy data that is independent of atomic kinetics modeling. The results emphasized the critical role of x-ray heating and radiation cooling in determining the energy balance of the plasma. They also demonstrated the dramatic impact of photoexcitation on excited-state populations, line emissivity, and radiation cooling. Modeling calculations performed with astrophysical codes significantly overestimated the measured temperature.

Systematic Study of L-Shell Opacity at Stellar Interior Temperatures

The first systematic study of opacity dependence on atomic number at stellar interior temperatures is used to evaluate discrepancies between measured and modeled iron opacity [J. E. Bailey et al., Nature (London) 517, 56 (2015)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/nature14048]. High-temperature (>180  eV) chromium and nickel opacities are measured with ±6%-10% uncertainty, using the same methods employed in the previous iron experiments. The 10%-20% experiment reproducibility demonstrates experiment reliability. The overall model-data disagreements are smaller than for iron. However, the systematic study reveals shortcomings in models for density effects, excited states, and open L-shell configurations. The 30%-45% underestimate in the modeled quasicontinuum opacity at short wavelengths was observed only from iron and only at temperature above 180 eV. Thus, either opacity theories are missing physics that has nonmonotonic dependence on the number of bound electrons or there is an experimental flaw unique to the iron measurement at temperatures above 180 eV.

Benchmark Experiment for Photoionized Plasma Emission from Accretion-Powered X-Ray Sources

The interpretation of x-ray spectra emerging from x-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei accreted plasmas relies on complex physical models for radiation generation and transport in photoionized plasmas. These models have not been sufficiently experimentally validated. We have developed a highly reproducible benchmark experiment to study spectrum formation from a photoionized silicon plasma in a regime comparable to astrophysical plasmas. Ionization predictions are higher than inferred from measured absorption spectra. Self-emission measured at adjustable column densities tests radiation transport effects, demonstrating that the resonant Auger destruction assumption used to interpret black hole accretion spectra is inaccurate.

Kinetic modeling of x-ray laser-driven solid Al plasmas via particle-in-cell simulation

Solid-density plasmas driven by intense x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) radiation are seeded by sources of nonthermal photoelectrons and Auger electrons that ionize and heat the target via collisions. Simulation codes that are commonly used to model such plasmas, such as collisional-radiative (CR) codes, typically assume a Maxwellian distribution and thus instantaneous thermalization of the source electrons. In this study, we present a detailed description and initial applications of a collisional particle-in-cell code, picls, that has been extended with a self-consistent radiation transport model and Monte Carlo models for photoionization and KLL Auger ionization, enabling the fully kinetic simulation of XFEL-driven plasmas. The code is used to simulate two experiments previously performed at the Linac Coherent Light Source investigating XFEL-driven solid-density Al plasmas. It is shown that picls-simulated pulse transmissions using the Ecker-Kröll continuum-lowering model agree much better with measurements than do simulations using the Stewart-Pyatt model. Good quantitative agreement is also found between the time-dependent picls results and those of analogous simulations by the CR code scfly, which was used in the analysis of the experiments to accurately reproduce the observed Kα emissions and pulse transmissions. Finally, it is shown that the effects of the nonthermal electrons are negligible for the conditions of the particular experiments under investigation.

Systematic Fuel Cavity Asymmetries in Directly Driven Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

We present narrow-band self-emission x-ray images from a titanium tracer layer placed at the fuel-shell interface in 60-laser-beam implosion experiments at the OMEGA facility. The images are acquired during deceleration with inferred convergences of ∼9-14. Novel here is that a systematically observed asymmetry of the emission is linked, using full sphere 3D implosion modeling, to performance-limiting low mode asymmetry of the drive.

Development of a spectroscopic technique for simultaneous magnetic field, electron density, and temperature measurements in ICF-relevant plasmas

Spectroscopic techniques in the visible range are often used in plasma experiments to measure B-field induced Zeeman splitting, electron densities via Stark broadening, and temperatures from Doppler broadening. However, when electron densities and temperatures are sufficiently high, the broadening of the Stark and Doppler components can dominate the emission spectra and obscure the Zeeman component. In this research, we are developing a time-resolved multi-axial technique for measuring the Zeeman, Stark, and Doppler broadened line emission of dense magnetized plasmas for Z-pinch and Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) accelerators. The line emission is used to calculate the electron densities, temperatures, and B-fields. In parallel, we are developing a line-shape modeling code that incorporates the broadening effects due to Stark, Doppler, and Zeeman effects for dense magnetized plasma. This manuscript presents the details of the experimental setup and line shape code, along with the results obtained from an Al iii doublet at the University of Nevada, Reno at Nevada Terawatt Facility. Future tests are planned to further evaluate the technique and modeling on other material wire array, gas puff, and DPF platforms.

Laboratory measurements of resistivity in warm dense plasmas relevant to the microphysics of brown dwarfs

Since the observation of the first brown dwarf in 1995, numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the structures of these objects. Here we present a method for studying material resistivity in warm dense plasmas in the laboratory, which we relate to the microphysics of brown dwarfs through viscosity and electron collisions. Here we use X-ray polarimetry to determine the resistivity of a sulphur-doped plastic target heated to Brown Dwarf conditions by an ultra-intense laser. The resistivity is determined by matching the plasma physics model to the atomic physics calculations of the measured large, positive, polarization. The inferred resistivity is larger than predicted using standard resistivity models, suggesting that these commonly used models will not adequately describe the resistivity of warm dense plasma related to the viscosity of brown dwarfs.

Understanding reliability and some limitations of the images and spectra reconstructed from a multi-monochromatic x-ray imager

Temperature and density asymmetry diagnosis is critical to advance inertial confinement fusion (ICF) science. A multi-monochromatic x-ray imager (MMI) is an attractive diagnostic for this purpose. The MMI records the spectral signature from an ICF implosion core with time resolution, 2-D space resolution, and spectral resolution. While narrow-band images and 2-D space-resolved spectra from the MMI data constrain temperature and density spatial structure of the core, the accuracy of the images and spectra depends not only on the quality of the MMI data but also on the reliability of the post-processing tools. Here, we synthetically quantify the accuracy of images and spectra reconstructed from MMI data. Errors in the reconstructed images are less than a few percent when the space-resolution effect is applied to the modeled images. The errors in the reconstructed 2-D space-resolved spectra are also less than a few percent except those for the peripheral regions. Spectra reconstructed for the peripheral regions have slightly but systematically lower intensities by ∼6% due to the instrumental spatial-resolution effects. However, this does not alter the relative line ratios and widths and thus does not affect the temperature and density diagnostics. We also investigate the impact of the pinhole size variation on the extracted images and spectra. A 10% pinhole size variation could introduce spatial bias to the images and spectra of ∼10%. A correction algorithm is developed, and it successfully reduces the errors to a few percent. It is desirable to perform similar synthetic investigations to fully understand the reliability and limitations of each MMI application.

Kinetic effects and nonlinear heating in intense x-ray-laser-produced carbon plasmas

The x-ray laser-matter interaction for a low-Z material, carbon, is studied with a particle-in-cell code that solves the photoionization and x-ray transport self-consistently. Photoionization is the dominant absorption mechanism and nonthermal photoelectrons are produced with energy near the x-ray photon energy. The photoelectrons ionize the target rapidly via collisional impact ionization and field ionization, producing a hot plasma column behind the laser pulse. The radial size of the heated region becomes larger than the laser spot size due to the kinetic nature of the photoelectrons. The plasma can have a temperature of more than 10 000 K (>1eV), an energy density greater than 10^{4} J/cm^{3}, an ion-ion Coulomb coupling parameter Γ≥1, and electron degeneracy Θ≥1, i.e., strongly coupled warm dense matter. By increasing the laser intensity, the plasma temperature rises nonlinearly from tens of eV to hundreds of eV, bringing it into the high energy density matter regime. The heating depth and temperature are also controllable by changing the photon energy of the incident laser light.

Hot-spot mix in ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion targets

Mixing of plastic ablator material, doped with Cu and Ge dopants, deep into the hot spot of ignition-scale inertial confinement fusion implosions by hydrodynamic instabilities is diagnosed with x-ray spectroscopy on the National Ignition Facility. The amount of hot-spot mix mass is determined from the absolute brightness of the emergent Cu and Ge K-shell emission. The Cu and Ge dopants placed at different radial locations in the plastic ablator show the ablation-front hydrodynamic instability is primarily responsible for hot-spot mix. Low neutron yields and hot-spot mix mass between 34(-13,+50)  ng and 4000(-2970,+17 160)  ng are observed.

Investigation of plasma instabilities in the stagnated Z pinch

High-resolution laser probing diagnostics at a wavelength of 266 nm allow observation of the internal structure and instabilities in dense stagnated Z pinches, typically hidden by trailing material. The internal structure of the 1-MA Z pinch includes strong kink and sausage instabilities, loops, flares, and disruptions. Mid- and small-scale density perturbations develop in the precursor and main pinch. The three-dimensional shape and dynamics of the wire-array Z pinch are predetermined by the initial configuration of the wire array. Cylindrical, linear, and star wire-array Z pinches present different sets of instabilities seeded to the pinch at the implosion stage. Prolonged implosion of trailing mass can enhance x-ray production in wire arrays. Fast plasma motion with a velocity >100 km/s was observed in the Z pinch at stagnation with two-frame shadowgraphy. Development of instabilities in wire arrays is in agreement with three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations.

Investigation of iron opacity experiment plasma gradients with synthetic data analyses

Experiments have been performed at Sandia National Laboratories Z-facility to validate iron opacity models relevant to the solar convection/radiation zone boundary. Sample conditions were measured by mixing Mg with the Fe and using Mg K-shell line transmission spectra, assuming that the plasma was uniform. We develop a spectral model that accounts for hypothetical gradients, and compute synthetic spectra to quantitatively evaluate the plasma gradient size that can be diagnosed. Two sample designs are investigated, assuming linear temperature and density gradients. First, Mg uniformly mixed with Fe enables temperature gradients greater than 10% to be detected. The second design uses Mg mixed into one side and Al mixed into the other side of the sample in an attempt to more accurately infer the sample gradient. Both temperature and density gradients as small as a few percent can be detected with this design. Experiments have successfully recorded spectra with the second design. In future research, the spectral model will be used to place bounds on gradients that exist in Z opacity experiments.

Study of the internal structure and small-scale instabilities in the dense Z pinch

High-resolution laser diagnostics at the wavelength of 266 nm were applied for the investigation of Z pinches at the 1-MA generator. The internal structure of the stagnated Z pinches was observed in unprecedented detail. A dense pinch with strong instabilities was seen inside the column of the trailing plasma. Kink instability, disruptions, and micropinches were seen at the peak of the x-ray pulse and later in time. The three-dimensional structure of the stagnated Z pinch depends on the initial wire-array configuration and implosion scenario. Small-scale density perturbations were found in the precursor plasma and in the stagnated Z pinch. Development of instabilities is in agreement with three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations.

Measurement of the ionization state and electron temperature of plasma during the ablation stage of a wire-array Z pinch using absorption spectroscopy

Wire-array plasmas were investigated in the nonradiative ablation stage via x-ray absorption spectroscopy. A laser-produced Sm plasma was used to backlight Al wire arrays. The Sm spectrum was simultaneously observed by two spectrometers: one recorded the unattenuated spectrum and the other the transmission spectrum with 1.45-1.55 keV K-shell absorption lines. Analysis of absorption spectra revealed electron temperature in the range of 10-30 eV and the presence of F-, O-, N- and C-like Al ions in the absorbing plasma. A comparison of this electron temperature with the postprocessed absorption spectra of a 2D MHD simulation yields results in general agreement with the data analysis.

Measurements of core and compressed-shell temperature and density conditions in thick-wall target implosions at the OMEGA laser facility

A spectroscopic method is discussed to measure core and compressed-shell conditions in thick-wall plastic-shell implosions filled with deuterium and a tracer amount of argon. Simultaneous observation over a broad photon energy range of the argon line emission and the attenuation and self-emission effects of the compressed shell confining the core yields enough information to extract average temperature and density conditions in both core and compressed shell. The spectroscopic analysis also provides an estimate of the target areal density which is an important characteristic of inertial confinement fusion implosions.

Spectroscopic modeling of an argon-doped shock-ignition implosion

We present results from the spectral postprocessing of a one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulation of an argon-doped, warm-shell shock-ignition implosion with a detailed atomic and radiation physics model. The argon tracer is added to the deuterium filling in the core for diagnostic purposes. Spectral features in the emergent intensity distribution in the photon energy range of the argon K-shell spectrum that have potential for diagnostic application are discussed.

Data processing of absorption spectra from photoionized plasma experiments at Z

We discuss the processing of x-ray absorption spectra from photoionized plasma experiments at Z. The data was recorded with an imaging spectrometer equipped with two elliptically bent potassium acid phthalate (KAP) crystals. Both time-integrated and time-resolved data were recorded. In both cases, the goal is to obtain the transmission spectra for quantitative analysis of plasma conditions.

Modeling of population kinetics of plasmas that are not in local thermodynamic equilibrium, using a versatile collisional-radiative model based on analytical rates

We discuss the modeling of population kinetics of nonequilibrium steady-state plasmas using a collisional-radiative model and code based on analytical rates (ABAKO). ABAKO can be applied to low-to-high Z ions for a wide range of laboratory plasma conditions: coronal, local thermodynamic equilibrium or nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium, and optically thin or thick plasmas. ABAKO combines a set of analytical approximations to atomic rates, which yield substantial savings in computer running time, still comparing well with more elaborate codes and experimental data. A simple approximation to calculate the electron capture cross section in terms of the collisional excitation cross section has been adapted to work in a detailed-configuration-accounting approach, thus allowing autoionizing states to be explicitly included in the kinetics in a fast and efficient way. Radiation transport effects in the atomic kinetics due to line trapping in the plasma are taken into account via geometry-dependent escape factors. Since the kinetics problem often involves very large sparse matrices, an iterative method is used to perform the matrix inversion. In order to illustrate the capabilities of the model, we present a number of results which show that the ABAKO compares well with customized models and simulations of ion population distribution. The utility of ABAKO for plasma spectroscopic applications is also outlined.

Plasma-density determination from x-ray radiography of laser-driven spherical implosions

The fuel layer density of an imploding laser-driven spherical shell is inferred from framed x-ray radiographs. The density distribution is determined by using Abel inversion to compute the radial distribution of the opacity kappa from the observed optical depth tau. With the additional assumption of the mass of the remaining fuel, the absolute density distribution is determined. This is demonstrated on the OMEGA laser system with two x-ray backlighters of different mean energies that lead to the same inferred density distribution independent of backlighter energy.

Implosion dynamics and x-ray generation in small-diameter wire-array Z pinches

It is known from experiments that the radiated x-ray energy appears to exceed the calculated implosion kinetic energy and Spitzer resistive heating [C. Deeney, Phys. Rev. A 44, 6762 (1991)] but possible mechanisms of the enhanced x-ray production are still being discussed. Enhanced plasma heating in small-diameter wire arrays with decreased calculated kinetic energy was investigated, and a review of experiments with cylindrical arrays of 1-16 mm in diameter on the 1 MA Zebra generator is presented in this paper. The implosion and x-ray generation in cylindrical wire arrays with different diameters were compared to find a transition from a regime where thermalization of the kinetic energy is the prevailing heating mechanism to regimes with other dominant mechanisms of plasma heating. Loads of 3-8 mm in diameter generate the highest x-ray power at the Zebra generator. The x-ray power falls in 1-2 mm loads which can be linked to the lower efficiency of plasma heating with the lack of kinetic energy. The electron temperature and density of the pinches also depend on the array diameter. In small-diameter arrays, 1-3 mm in diameter, ablating plasma accumulates in the inner volume much faster than in loads of 12-16 mm in diameter. Correlated bubblelike implosions were observed with multiframe shadowgraphy. Investigation of energy balance provides evidence for mechanisms of nonkinetic plasma heating in Z pinches. Formation and evolution of bright spots in Z pinches were studied with a time-gated pinhole camera. A comparison of x-ray images with shadowgrams shows that implosion bubbles can initiate bright spots in the pinch. Features of the implosions in small-diameter wire arrays are discussed to identify mechanisms of energy dissipation.

Diagnosis of x-ray heated Mg/Fe opacity research plasmas

Understanding stellar interiors, inertial confinement fusion, and Z pinches depends on opacity models for mid-Z plasmas in the 100-300 eV temperature range. These models are complex and experimental validation is crucial. In this paper we describe the diagnosis of the first experiments to measure iron plasma opacity at a temperature high enough to produce the charge states and electron configurations that exist in the solar interior. The dynamic Hohlraum x-ray source at Sandia National Laboratories' Z facility was used to both heat and backlight Mg/Fe CH tamped foils. The backlighter equivalent brightness temperature was estimated to be T(r) approximately 314 eV+/-8% using time-resolved x-ray power and imaging diagnostics. This high brightness is significant because it overwhelms the sample self-emission. The sample transmission in the 7-15.5 A range was measured using two convex potassium acid phthalate crystal spectrometers that view the backlighter through the sample. The average spectral resolution over this range was estimated to be lambda/deltalambda approximately 700 by comparing theoretical crystal resolution calculations with measurements at 7.126, 8.340, and 12.254 A. The electron density was determined to be n(e)=6.9+/-1.7 x 10(21) cm(-3) using the Stark-broadened Mg Hebeta, Hegamma, and Hedelta lines. The temperature inferred from the H-like to He-like Mg line ratios was T(e)=156+/-6 eV. Comparisons with three different spectral synthesis models all have normalized chi(2) that is close to unity, indicating quantitative consistency in the inferred plasma conditions. This supports the reliability of the results and implies the experiments are suitable for testing iron opacity models.

Comparison of genetic-algorithm and emissivity-ratio analyses of image data from OMEGA implosion cores

Detailed analysis of x-ray narrow-band images from argon-doped deuterium-filled inertial confinement fusion implosion experiments yields information about the temperature spatial structure in the core at the collapse of the implosion. We discuss the analysis of direct-drive implosion experiments at OMEGA, in which multiple narrow-band images were recorded with a multimonochromatic x-ray imaging instrument. The temperature spatial structure is investigated by using the sensitivity of the Ly beta/He beta line emissivity ratio to the temperature. Three analysis methods that consider the argon He beta and Ly beta image data are discussed and the results compared. The methods are based on a ratio of image intensities, ratio of Abel-inverted emissivities, and a search and reconstruction technique driven by a Pareto genetic algorithm.

Analysis of time-resolved argon line spectra from OMEGA direct-drive implosions

We discuss the observation and data analysis of argon K-shell line spectra from argon-doped deuterium-filled OMEGA direct-drive implosion cores based on data recorded with two streaked crystal spectrometers. The targets were 870 microm in diameter, 27 microm wall thickness plastic shells filled with 20 atm of deuterium gas, and a tracer amount of argon for diagnostic purposes. The argon K-shell line spectrum is primarily emitted at the collapse of the implosion and its analysis provides a spectroscopic diagnostic of the core implosion conditions. The observed spectra includes the He alpha, Ly alpha, He beta, He gamma, Ly beta, and Ly gamma line emissions and their associated He- and Li-like satellites thus covering a broad photon energy range from 3100 to 4200 eV with a spectral resolution power of approximately 500. The data analysis relies on detailed atomic and spectral models that take into account nonequilibrium collisional-radiative atomic kinetics, Stark-broadened line shapes, and radiation transport calculations.

Iron-plasma transmission measurements at temperatures above 150 eV

Measurements of iron-plasma transmission at 156+/-6 eV electron temperature and 6.9+/-1.7 x 10(21) cm(-3) electron density are reported over the 800-1800 eV photon energy range. The temperature is more than twice that in prior experiments, permitting the first direct experimental tests of absorption features critical for understanding solar interior radiation transport. Detailed line-by-line opacity models are in excellent agreement with the data.

Spectroscopic determination of temperature and density spatial profiles and mix in indirect-drive implosion cores

In the field of inertial confinement fusion (ICF), work has been consistently progressing in the past decade toward a more fundamental understanding of the plasma conditions in ICF implosion cores. The research presented here represents a substantial evolution in the ability to diagnose plasma temperatures and densities, along with characteristics of mixing between fuel and shell materials. Mixing is a vital property to study and quantify, since it can significantly affect implosion quality. We employ a number of new spectroscopic techniques that allow us to probe these important quantities. The first technique developed is an emissivity analysis, which uses the emissivity ratio of the optically thin Lybeta and Hebeta lines to spectroscopically extract temperature profiles, followed by the solution of emissivity equations to infer density profiles. The second technique, an intensity analysis, models the radiation transport through the implosion core. The nature of the intensity analysis allows us to use an optically thick line, the Lyalpha, to extract information on mixing near the core edge. With this work, it is now possible to extract directly from experimental data not only detailed temperature and density maps of the core, but also spatial mixing profiles.

Spectroscopic modeling and characterization of a collisionally confined laser-ablated plasma plume

Plasma plumes produced by laser ablation are an established method for manufacturing the high quality stoichiometrically complex thin films used for a variety of optical, photoelectric, and superconducting applications. The state and reproducibility of the plasma close to the surface of the irradiated target plays a critical role in producing high quality thin films. Unfortunately, this dense plasma has historically eluded quantifiable characterization. The difficulty in modeling the plume formation arises in the accounting for the small amount of energy deposited into the target when physical properties of these exotic target materials are not known. In this work we obtain the high density state of the plasma plume through the use of an experimental spectroscopic technique and a custom spectroscopic model. In addition to obtaining detailed temperature and density profiles, issues regarding line broadening and opacity for spectroscopic characterization will be addressed for this unique environment.

Dopant radiative cooling effects in indirect-drive Ar-doped capsule implosion experiments

We present results from simulations performed to investigate the effects of dopant radiative cooling in inertial confinement fusion indirect-drive capsule implosion experiments. Using a one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics code that includes inline collisional-radiative modeling, we compute in detail the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium atomic kinetics and spectral characteristics for Ar-doped DD fuel. Specifically, we present results from a series of calculations in which the concentration of the Ar is varied, and examine the sensitivity of the fuel conditions (e.g., electron temperature) and neutron yield to the Ar dopant concentration. Simulation results are compared with data obtained in OMEGA indirect-drive experiments in which monochromatic imaging and spectral measurements of Ar Hebeta and Lybeta line emission were recorded. The incident radiation drive on the capsule is computed with a three-dimensional view factor code using the laser beam pointings and powers from the OMEGA experiments. We also examine the sensitivity of the calculated compressed core electron temperatures and neutron yields to the radiation drive on the capsule and to the radiation and atomic modeling in the simulations.

Hot dense capsule-implosion cores produced by Z-pinch dynamic Hohlraum radiation

Hot dense capsule implosions driven by Z-pinch x rays have been measured using a approximately 220 eV dynamic Hohlraum to implode 1.7-2.1 mm diameter gas-filled CH capsules. The capsules absorbed up to approximately 20 kJ of x rays. Argon tracer atom spectra were used to measure the T(e) approximately 1 keV electron temperature and the n(e) approximately 1-4 x 10(23) cm(-3) electron density. Spectra from multiple directions provide core symmetry estimates. Computer simulations agree well with the peak emission values of T(e), n(e), and symmetry, indicating reasonable understanding of the Hohlraum and implosion physics.

Charge-exchange-induced two-electron satellite transitions from autoionizing levels in dense plasmas

Order-of-magnitude anomalously high intensities for two-electron (dielectronic) satellite transitions, originating from the He-like 2s(2) 1S0 and Li-like 1s2s(2) (2)S(1/2) autoionizing states of silicon, have been observed in dense laser-produced plasmas at different laboratories. Spatially resolved, high-resolution spectra and plasma images show that these effects are correlated with an intense emission of the He-like 1s3p 1P-1s(2) 1S lines, as well as the K(alpha) lines. A time-dependent, collisional-radiative model, allowing for non-Maxwellian electron-energy distributions, has been developed for the determination of the relevant nonequilibrium level populations of the silicon ions, and a detailed analysis of the experimental data has been carried out. Taking into account electron density and temperature variations, plasma optical-depth effects, and hot-electron distributions, the spectral simulations are found to be not in agreement with the observations. We propose that highly stripped target ions (e.g., bare nuclei or H-like 1s ground-state ions) are transported into the dense, cold plasma (predominantly consisting of L- and M-shell ions) near the target surface and undergo single- and double-electron charge-transfer processes. The spectral simulations indicate that, in dense and optically thick plasmas, these charge-transfer processes may lead to an enhancement of the intensities of the two-electron transitions by up to a factor of 10 relative to those of the other emission lines, in agreement with the spectral observations.