Simulation of the hohlraum for a laser facility of Megajoule scale

Abstract

Abstract. 2D calculations of the promising laser hohlraums were performed with using of the Sinara computer code. These hohlraums are intended for achievement of indirectly-driven thermonuclear ignition at laser energy above 1 MJ. Two calculation variants of the laser assembly with the form close to a rugby ball were carried out: with laser entrance hole shields and without shields. Time dependent hohlraum radiation temperature and x-ray flux asymmetry on a target were obtained. IntroductionThe 2D Sinara computer code was developed in VNIITF for simulation of accidental conditions in fast neutron reactors [1]. It was used to simulate the destruction of the reactor core casing and consequences from the destruction of structural components of a nuclear power plant, etc. Sinara code was also used for thermal analysis of the experimental facility ATLAS [2]. Latter its capabilities were extended to allow radiation transport simulations in multigroup kinetic approximation by the finitedifference DSn-method [3]. Then the Sinara code has been adapted for calculations of laser hohlraums, specifically, the equation of energy for matter now considers electronic heat conductivity with flux limitation, a 3D model of laser light absorption is implemented.Results of first calculations of a laser hohlraum by the Sinara code are presented in the report. For laser energy saving and improving of x-ray flux uniformity on the target the configuration of hohlraum in the form of a rugby ball [4] was used. The calculation variant with the laser entrance hole shields [5] was also performed. Time dependent hohlraum radiation temperature and x-ray flux asymmetry on a target were calculated.