Multidimensional hydrodynamic properties of high-adiabat direct-drive plastic-shell implosions on the OMEGA laser system [T. R. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)] are investigated using the multidimensional hydrodynamic code, DRACO. Multimode simulations including the effects of nonuniform illumination and target roughness indicate that shell stability during the acceleration phase plays a critical role in determining target performance. For thick shells that remain integral during the acceleration phase, target yields are significantly reduced by the combination of the long-wavelength ({ell} < 10) modes due to surface roughness and beam imbalance and the intermediate modes (20 {le} {ell} {le} 50) due to single-beam nonuniformities. The neutron-production rate for these thick shells truncates relative to one-dimensional (1-D) predictions. The yield degradation in the thin shells is mainly due to shell breakup at short wavelengths ({lambda} {approx} {Delta}, where {Delta} is the in-flight shell thickness). The neutron-rate curves for the thinner shells have significantly lower amplitudes and a fall-off that is less steep than 1-D rates. DRACO simulation results are consistent with experimental observations.

We have searched for neutrons from the 3-body photon-induced reaction {sup 9}Be + {gamma} {yields} {alpha} + {alpha} + n using bremsstrahlung produced by electrons from a 2-MV Van de Graaff. The target was located within a block of beryllium surrounded by an array of {sup 3}He proportional counters embedded in paraffin. Based on energy and intensity calibrations of the accelerator and detector using the {sup 9}Be + {gamma} {yields} {sup 8}Be + n reaction, an upper limit of 93 nb (4{sigma}) was placed on the cross section for neutron production between the 3-body and 2-body thresholds. This value is substantially below a previously experimental result using photoexcitation by a {sup 142}Pr gamma source and also below an earlier theoretical estimate. We suggest that bremsstrahlung due to beta rays between 1665 keV and the 2160-keV end-point of the {sup 142}Pr beta-ray spectrum could account for the photoneutron yield in the 3-body region that had previously been attributed to {sup 142}Pr gamma rays.

The coupling of statistical cloud schemes with mass-flux convection schemes is addressed. Source terms representing the impact of convection are derived within the framework of prognostic equations for the width and asymmetry of the probability distribution function of total water mixing ratio. The accuracy of these source terms is quantified by examining output from a cloud resolving model simulation of deep convection. Practical suggestions for inclusion of these source terms in large-scale models are offered.

The controlled integration of organic and inorganic components confers natural bone with superior mechanical properties. Bone biogenesis is thought to occur by templated mineralization of hard apatite crystals by an elastic protein scaffold, a process we sought to emulate with synthetic biomimetic hydrogel polymers. Crosslinked polymethacrylamide and polymethacrylate hydrogels were functionalized with mineral-binding ligands and used to template the formation of hydroxyapatite. Strong adhesion between the organic and inorganic materials was achieved for hydrogels functionalized with either carboxylate or hydroxy ligands. The mineral-nucleating potential of hydroxyl groups identified here broadens the design parameters for synthetic bone-like composites and suggests a potential role for hydroxylated collagen proteins in bone mineralization.

The change in the electronic structure of germanium nanocrystals is investigated as their concentration is increased from non-interacting, individual particles to assembled arrays of particles. The electronic structure of the individual nanoclusters shows clear effects due to quantum confinement which are lost in the concentrated assemblies of bare particles. When the surface of the individual particles is passivated, they retain their quantum confinement properties also upon assembly. These effects are interpreted in terms of a particle - particle interaction model.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is in the process of developing a new Monte Carlo Particle Transport code named MERCURY. This new code features a 3-D Combinatorial Geometry tracking algorithm. This paper details some of the characteristics of this Monte Carlo tracker

Synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Light Source has been used to investigate the electronic structure of {alpha}-Pu and {delta}-Pu. Measurements include core level and valence band photoelectron spectroscopy, Resonant Photoelectron Spectroscopy (REPES), and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS).