Simulations on the multi-shell target ignition driven by radiation pulse in Z-pinch dynamic hohlraum*

Abstract

We present the first simulation results of a multi-shell target ignition driven by Z-pinch dynamic hohlraum radiation pulse. The radiation pulse is produced with a special Z-pinch dynamic hohlraum configuration, where the hohlraum is composed of a single metal liner, a low-Z plastic foam, and a high-Z metallic foam. The implosion dynamics of a hohlraum and a multi-shell target are investigated separately by the one-dimensional code MULTI-IFE. When the peak drive current is 50 MA, simulations suggest that an x-ray pulse with nearly constant radiation temperature (∼ 310 eV) and a duration about 9 ns can be obtained. A small multi-shell target with a radius of 1.35 mm driven by this radiation pulse is able to achieve volumetric ignition with an energy gain (G) about 6.19, where G is the ratio of the yield to the absorbed radiation. Through this research, we better understand the effects of non-uniformities and hydrodynamics instabilities in Z-pinch dynamic hohlraum.