Experimental Investigation of High-Mach-Number 3D Hydrodynamic Jets at the National Ignition Facility

B. E. Blue, S. V. Weber, S. G. Glendinning, N. E. Lanier, D. T. Woods, M. J. Bono, S. N. Dixit, C. A. Haynam, J. P. Holder, D. H. Kalantar, B. J. MacGowan, A. J. Nikitin, V. V. Rekow, B. M. Van Wonterghem, E. I. Moses, P. E. Stry, B. H. Wilde, W. W. Hsing, and H. F. Robey

Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 095005 – Published 11 March 2005

Abstract

The first hydrodynamic experiments were performed on the National Ignition Facility. A supersonic jet was formed via the interaction of a laser driven shock ( $\sim 40 M b a r$ ) with 2D and 3D density perturbations. The temporal evolution of the jet’s spatial scales and ejected mass were measured with point-projection x-ray radiography. Measurements of the large-scale features and mass are in good agreement with 2D and 3D numerical simulations. These experiments provide quantitative data on the evolution of 3D supersonic jets and provide insight into their 3D behavior.