Electron-ion thermal equilibration after spherical shock collapse

J. R. Rygg, J. A. Frenje, C. K. Li, F. H. Séguin, R. D. Petrasso, D. D. Meyerhofer, and C. Stoeckl

Phys. Rev. E 80, 026403 – Published 25 August 2009

Abstract

A comprehensive set of dual nuclear product observations provides a snapshot of imploding inertial confinement fusion capsules at the time of shock collapse, shortly before the final stages of compression. The collapse of strong convergent shocks at the center of spherical capsules filled with $D_{2}$ and ${}^{3}H e$ gases induces D-D and $D − {}^{3}H e$ nuclear production. Temporal and spectral diagnostics of products from both reactions are used to measure shock timing, temperature, and capsule areal density. The density and temperature inferred from these measurements are used to estimate the electron-ion thermal coupling and demonstrate a lower electron-ion relaxation rate for capsules with lower initial gas density.

Received 3 March 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.80.026403

Authors & Affiliations

J. R. Rygg^*, J. A. Frenje, C. K. Li, F. H. Séguin, and R. D. Petrasso^†

Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

D. D. Meyerhofer^‡ and C. Stoeckl

Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA

^*Present address: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
^†Also at Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA.
^‡Also at Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA; and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA.

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Vol. 80, Iss. 2 — August 2009

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