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Capsule implosion experiments carried out on the Nova laser [E. M. Campbell et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 57, 2101 (1986)] are simulated with the three-dimensional HYDRA radiation hydrodynamics code [NTIS Document No. DE-96004569 (M. M. Marinak et al. in UCRL-LR-105821-95-3)]. Simulations of ordered, near single mode perturbations indicate that structures which evolve into round spikes can penetrate farthest into the hot spot. Bubble-shaped perturbations can burn through the capsule shell fastest, in which case they cause even more damage. A simulation of a capsule with a multimode perturbation of moderate amplitude shows spike amplitudes evolving in good agreement with a saturation model during the deceleration phase. The presence of sizable low mode asymmetry, caused either by drive asymmetry or perturbations in the capsule shell, can dramatically affect the manner in which spikes approach the center of the hot spot. Three-dimensional coupling between the low mode shell perturbations intrinsic to Nova capsules and the drive asymmetry is found to be important, bringing the simulated neutron yields into closer agreement with the experimental values.

Laboratory x-ray lasers are currently being studied by researchers worldwide. This paper reviews some of the recent work carried out at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Laser action has been demonstrated at wavelengths as short as 35.6 Å while saturation of the small signal gain has been observed with longer wavelength schemes. Some of the most successful schemes to date have been collisionally pumped x-ray lasers that use the thermal electron distribution within a laser-produced plasma to excite electrons from closed shells in neon- and nickel-like ions to metastable levels in the next shell. Attempts to quantify and improve the longitudinal and transverse coherence of collisionally pumped x-ray lasers are motivated by the desire to produce sources for specific applications. Toward this goal there is a large effort underway to enhance the power output of the Ni-like Ta x-ray laser at 44.83 Å as a source for x-ray imaging of live cells. Improving the efficiency of x-ray lasers in order to produce saturated output with smaller pump lasers is also a goal of this work.

Analysis is presented of K- and L-shell spectra obtained from Ar and Xe dopants seeded into the fuel region of plastic capsules indirectly imploded using the Nova laser. Stark broadening measurements of the n=3-1 lines in H- and He-like Ar (Ar Ly-β and He-β, respectively) are used to infer fuel electron density, while spatially averaged fuel electron temperature is deduced from the ratio of the intensities of these lines. Systematic variations in Ar spectral features are observed as a function of drive conditions. A spectral postprocessing code has been developed to simulate experimental spectra by taking into account spatial gradients and line transfer effects, and shows good agreement with experimental data. It is shown that correct modeling of the x-ray emission requires a proper treatment of the coupled radiative transfer and kinetics problem. Continuum lowering effects are shown not to affect diagnostic line ratios, within the confines of a simple model. A recently developed diagnostic based on fitting measured line profiles of Ar He-β and its associated dielectronic satellites to theory is shown to provide a simultaneous measure of electron temperature and electron density. L-shell Xe spectroscopy is under development as an electron temperature and electron-density diagnostic. Density and temperature sensitive ratios of spectral features each consisting of many lines have been identified. Observed Xe spectra from imploded cores show the same qualitative behavior with temperature, as predicted by model calculations of Xe emission spectra. Stark broadening of Ne-like Xe 4-2 lines appears viable as an electron density diagnostic for Ne∼1025 cm−3 and is under continuing investigation. (Based on the invited paper 8I3 at the 1992 APS/DPP annual meeting [Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 37, 1553 (1992)].)

The charge-exchange system used on the Poloidal Divertor Experiment is comprised of four, ten-channel, mass-resolved, charge-exchange analyzers. Each analyzer is constructed with parallel electric and magnetic fields and is calibrated over an energy range of 0.5–40 keV. The mass rejection between hydrogen and deuterium has been measured as better than 1000 to 1. For Ohmic heated discharges the system can provide single shot radial ion temperature profiles (four point) with 1-ms time resolution. For neutral beam heated discharges, complete radial and temporal profiles can be obtained in two to four shots. The system is also equipped with a vertically aimed diagnostic neutral beam to allow local ion-energy distribution measurements. This report describes the analyzer system and its calibration, and presents results from Ohmic and neutral beam heated discharges.