Detailed Structure of the X-Ray Jet in 4C 19.44 (=PKS1354+195) (open access)

Detailed Structure of the X-Ray Jet in 4C 19.44 (=PKS1354+195)

We investigate the variations of the magnetic field, Doppler factor, and relativistic particle density along the jet of a quasar at z=0.72. We chose 4C 19.44 for this study because of its length and straight morphology. The 18 arcsec length of the jet provides many independent resolution elements in the Chandra X-ray image. The straightness suggests that geometry factors, although uncertain, are almost constant along the jet. We assume the X-ray emission is from inverse Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background. With the aid of assumptions about jet alignment, equipartition between magnetic-field and relativistic-particle energy, and filling factors, we find that the jet is in bulk relativistic motion with a Doppler factor {approx} 6 at an angle no more than 10{sup o} to the line of sight over deprojected distances {approx} 150-600 kpc from the quasar, and with a magnetic field {approx} 10 {micro}Gauss.
Date: October 31, 2006
Creator: Schwartz, Daniel A.; Harris, D. E.; Landt, H.; Siemiginowska, A.; Perlman, E. S.; Cheung, C. C. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Observation of a Broad Structure at an Invariant Massof 4.32 GeV in the Reaction e+e- to pi+pi-psi(2S) Measured at BaBar (open access)

Observation of a Broad Structure at an Invariant Massof 4.32 GeV in the Reaction e+e- to pi+pi-psi(2S) Measured at BaBar

The authors measure the cross section for the process e{sup +}e{sup -} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{psi}(2S) from threshold up to 8 GeV center-of-mass energy using events containing initial-state radiation, produced at the PEP-II e{sup +}e{sup -} storage rings. The study is based on 298 fb{sup -1} of data recorded with the BABAR detector. A structure is observed in the cross-section not far above threshold, near 4.32 GeV. This structure is not compatible with the Y(4260) previously reported by this experiment. A single resonance is adequate to describe the cross-section in the low-energy region (< 5.7 GeV).
Date: October 31, 2006
Creator: Aubert, B.; Barate, R.; Bona, M.; Boutigny, D.; Couderc, F.; Karyotakis, Y. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Thermodynamics of neptunium(V) fluoride and sulfate at elevatedtemperatures (open access)

Thermodynamics of neptunium(V) fluoride and sulfate at elevatedtemperatures

Complexation of neptunium(V) with fluoride and sulfate at elevated temperatures was studied by microcalorimetry. Thermodynamic parameters, including the equilibrium constants and enthalpy of protonation of fluoride and sulfate, and the enthalpy of complexation between Np(V) and fluoride and sulfate at 25 - 70 C were determined. Results show that the complexation of Np(V) with fluoride and sulfate is endothermic and that the complexation is enhanced by the increase in temperature - a three-fold increase in the stability constants of NpO{sub 2}F(aq) and NpO{sub 2}SO{sub 4}{sup -} as the temperature is increased from 25 to 70 C.
Date: October 31, 2006
Creator: Rao, Linfeng; Tian, Guoxin; Xia, Yuanxian & Friese, Judah I.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Top to Bottom Lithospheric Study of Africa and Arabia (open access)

A Top to Bottom Lithospheric Study of Africa and Arabia

We study the lithospheric structure of Africa, Arabia and adjacent oceanic regions with fundamental-mode surface waves over a wide period range. Including short period group velocities allows us to examine shallower features than previous studies of the whole continent. In the process, we have developed a crustal thickness map of Africa. Main features include crustal thickness increases under the West African, Congo, and Kalahari cratons. We find crustal thinning under Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifts, including the Benue Trough, Red Sea, and East, Central, and West African rift systems. Crustal shear wave velocities are generally faster in oceanic regions and cratons, and slower in more recent crust and in active and formerly active orogenic regions. Deeper structure, related to the thickness of cratons and modern rifting, is generally consistent with previous work. Under cratons we find thick lithosphere and fast upper mantle velocities, while under rifts we find thinned lithosphere and slower upper mantle velocities. There are no consistent effects in areas classified as hotspots, indicating that there seem to be numerous origins for these features. Finally, it appears that the African Superswell has had a significantly different impact in the north and the south, indicating specifics of the feature (temperature, …
Date: October 31, 2006
Creator: Pasyanos, M
System: The UNT Digital Library
Vector-Tensor and Vector-Vector Decay AmplitudeAnalysis of B0 to phi K*0 (open access)

Vector-Tensor and Vector-Vector Decay AmplitudeAnalysis of B0 to phi K*0

We perform an amplitude analysis of the decays B{sup 0} {yields} {phi}K*{sub 2}(1430){sup 0}, {phi}K*(892){sup 0}, and {phi}(K{pi}){sub S-wave}{sup 0} with a sample of about 384 million B{bar B} pairs recorded with the BABAR detector. The fractions of longitudinal polarization f{sub L} of the vector-tensor and vector-vector decay modes are measured to be 0.853{sub -0.069}{sup +0.061} {+-} 0.036 and 0.506 {+-} 0.040 {+-} 0.015, respectively. Overall, twelve parameters are measured for the vector-vector decay and seven parameters for the vector-tensor decay, including the branching fractions and parameters sensitive to CP-violation.
Date: October 31, 2006
Creator: Aubert, B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Analysis of Carrier Recombination Processes in 0.6 eV InGaAs Epitaxial Materials for Thermophotovoltaic Devices (open access)

Analysis of Carrier Recombination Processes in 0.6 eV InGaAs Epitaxial Materials for Thermophotovoltaic Devices

Minority carrier lifetime was measured by time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) method in sets of p-type and n-type InGaAs double heterostructures (DH) moderately doped with Zn and Te, respectively. Contributions of the radiative and non-radiative recombination terms were separated by fitting experimental data to temperature dependences of the radiative term. The latter was modeled with measured fundamental absorption spectrum and the temperature dependence of the photon recycling effect was taken into account. Different temperature dependences of radiative terms for electron and hole materials were obtained. It was concluded that in 0.6 eV Te-doped InGaAs structures the radiative recombination controls the hole lifetime at liquid nitrogen temperatures, while Auger recombination dominates at room and above room temperatures. In similar 0.6 eV InGaAs with Zn-doped active regions Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination was found dominant in a wide temperature range from liquid nitrogen to above-room temperatures. Rapid decrease of electron lifetime with decrease of excess carrier concentration was observed and attributed to recombination through partially-ionized deep donor centers. The obtained data allows for more adequate modeling of the performance and design optimization of narrow-gap photonic devices based on InGaAs Indium-rich compounds.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Donetsky, D.; Newman, F. & Dashiell, M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Exploring nanomagnetism with soft x-ray microscopy (open access)

Exploring nanomagnetism with soft x-ray microscopy

Magnetic soft X-ray microscopy images magnetism in nanoscale systems with a spatial resolution down to 15nm provided by state-of-the-art Fresnel zone plate optics. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (X-MCD) is used as element-specific magnetic contrast mechanism similar to photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), however, with volume sensitivity and the ability to record the images in varying applied magnetic fields which allows to study magnetization reversal processes at fundamental length scales. Utilizing a stroboscopic pump-probe scheme one can investigate fast spin dynamics with a time resolution down to 70 ps which gives access to precessional and relaxation phenomena as well as spin torque driven domain wall dynamics in nanoscale systems. Current developments in zone plate optics aim for a spatial resolution towards 10nm and at next generation X-ray sources a time resolution in the fsec regime can be envisioned.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Fischer, P.; Kim, D. H.; Mesler, B. L.; Chao, W.; Sakdinawat,A. E. & Anderson, E. H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fabrication and Characterization of Suspended Carbon Nanotube Devices in Liquid (open access)

Fabrication and Characterization of Suspended Carbon Nanotube Devices in Liquid

Suspended carbon nanotube devices are a promising platform for future bio-electronic applications. Suspended carbon nanotube transistors have been previously fabricated in air; however all previous attempts to bring them into liquid failed. We analyze forces acting on the suspended nanotube devices during immersion into liquids and during device operation and show that surface tension forces acting on the suspended nanotubes during transfer into the liquid phase are responsible for the nanotube damage. We have developed a new strategy that circumvents these limitations by coating suspended nanotubes with a rigid inorganic shell in the gas phase. The coating reinforces the nanotubes and allows them to survive transfer through the interface. Subsequent removal of the coating in the solution phase restores pristine suspended nanotubes. We demonstrate that devices fabricated using this technique preserve their original electrical characteristics.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Artyukhin, A.; Stadermann, M.; Stroeve, P.; Bakajin, O. & Noy, A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
J/psi Production in Quark-Gluon Plasma (open access)

J/psi Production in Quark-Gluon Plasma

We study J/{psi} production at RHIC and LHC energies with both initial production and regeneration. We solve the coupled set of transport equation for the J/{psi} distribution in phase space and the hydrodynamic equation for evolution of quark-gluon plasma. At RHIC, continuous regeneration is crucial for the J/{psi} momentum distribution while the elliptic flow is still dominated by initial production. At LHC energy, almost all the initially created J/{psi}s are dissociated in the medium and regeneration dominates the J/{psi} properties.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Yan, Li; Zhuang, Pengfei & Xu, Nu
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Local Corrections Algorithm for Solving Poisson's Equation inThree Dimensions (open access)

A Local Corrections Algorithm for Solving Poisson's Equation inThree Dimensions

We present a second-order accurate algorithm for solving thefree-space Poisson's equation on a locally-refined nested grid hierarchyin three dimensions. Our approach is based on linear superposition oflocal convolutions of localized charge distributions, with the nonlocalcoupling represented on coarser grids. There presentation of the nonlocalcoupling on the local solutions is based on Anderson's Method of LocalCorrections and does not require iteration between different resolutions.A distributed-memory parallel implementation of this method is observedto have a computational cost per grid point less than three times that ofa standard FFT-based method on a uniform grid of the same resolution, andscales well up to 1024 processors.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: McCorquodale, Peter; Colella, Phillip; Balls, Gregory T. & Baden,Scott B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reflection of attosecond x-ray free electron laser pulses (open access)

Reflection of attosecond x-ray free electron laser pulses

In order to utilize hard x-ray free electron lasers (XFEL's) when they are extended to attosecond pulse lengths, it is necessary to choose optical elements with minimal response time. Specular grazing incidence optics made of low-Z materials are popular candidates for reflectors since they are likely to withstand x-ray damage and provide sufficiently large reflectivities. Using linear-optics reflection theory, we calculated the transient reflectivity of a delta-function electric pulse from a homogeneous semi-infinite medium as a function of angle of incidence for s- and p-polarized light. We specifically considered the pulse response of Be, diamond, silicon carbide, and silicon, all of which are of relevance to the XFEL's that are currently being built. We found that the media emit energy in a damped oscillatory way, and that the impulse-response times are shorter than 0.3 fs for normal incidence. For grazing incidence, the impulse-response time is substantially shorter, making grazing-incidence mirrors a good choice for deep-sub-femtosecond reflective optics.
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Hau-Riege, S & Chapman, H
System: The UNT Digital Library
Very-high-growth-factor Planar Ablative Rayleigh Taylor Experiments (open access)

Very-high-growth-factor Planar Ablative Rayleigh Taylor Experiments

The Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability is an important factor in bounding the performance envelope of ignition targets. This paper describes an experiment for ablative RT instability that for the first time achieves growth factors close to those expected to occur in ignition targets at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The large growth allows small seed perturbations to be detected and can be used to place an upper bound on perturbation growth at the ablation front resulting from microstructure in the preferred Be ablator. The experiments were performed on the Omega laser using a halfraum 1.2 mm long by 2 mm diameter with a 75% laser entrance hole. The halfraum was filled with {approx} 1 atm of neopentane to delay gold plasma from closing the diagnostic line of sight down the axis of the halfraum. The ablator was mounted at the base of the halfraum, and was accelerated by a two stepped X-ray pulse consisting of an early time section {approx} 100 eV to emulate the NIF foot followed by an approximately constant {approx} 150 eV drive sustained over an additional 5-7ns. It is this long pulse duration and late time observation that distinguishes the present work from previous experiments, and is …
Date: October 30, 2006
Creator: Bradley, D K; Braun, D G; Glendinning, S G; Edwards, M J; Milovich, J L; Sorce, C M et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Design of a Large-Area Fast Neutron Directional Detector. (open access)

Design of a Large-Area Fast Neutron Directional Detector.

A large-area fast-neutron double-scatter directional detector and spectrometer is being constructed using l-meter-long plastic scintillator paddles with photomultiplier tubes at both ends. The scintillators detect fast neutrons by proton recoil and also gamma rays by Compton scattering. The paddles are arranged in two parallel planes so that neutrons can be distinguished from muons and gamma rays by time of flight between the planes. The signal pulses are digitized with a time resolution of one gigasample per second. The location of an event along each paddle can be determined from the relative amplitudes or timing of the signals at the ends. The angle of deflection of a neutron in the first plane can be estimated from the energy deposited by the recoil proton, combined with the scattered neutron time-of-flight energy. Each scattering angle can be back-projected as a cone, and many intersecting cones define the incident neutron direction from a distant point source. Moreover, the total energy of each neutron can be obtained, allowing some regions of a fission source spectrum to be distinguished from background generated by cosmic rays. Monte Carlo calculations will be compared with measurements.
Date: October 29, 2006
Creator: Vanier, P. E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A High-Speed Detector System for X-ray Fluorescence Microprobes. (open access)

A High-Speed Detector System for X-ray Fluorescence Microprobes.

We have developed a high-speed system for collecting x-ray fluorescence microprobe data, based on ASICs developed at BNL and high-speed processors developed by CSIRO. The system can collect fluorescence data in a continuous raster scan mode, and present elemental images in real time using Ryan's Dynamic Analysis algorithm. We will present results from a 32-element prototype array illustrating the concept. The final instrument will have 384 elements arranged in a square array around a central hole.
Date: October 29, 2006
Creator: Siddons, P. D.; Dragone, A.; De Geronimo, G.; Kuczewski, A. & Kuczewski, J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Performance-Limiting Defects in CdZnTe Detectors. (open access)

Performance-Limiting Defects in CdZnTe Detectors.

We studied the effects of small, <20 {micro}m, Te inclusions on the energy resolution of CdZnTe gamma-ray detectors using a highly collimated X-ray beam and gamma-rays, and modeled them via a simplified geometrical approach. Previous reports demonstrated that Te inclusions of about a few microns in diameter degraded the charge-transport properties and uniformity of CdZnTe detectors. The goal of this work was to understand the extent to which randomly distributed Te-rich inclusions affect the energy resolution of CZT detectors, and to define new steps to overcome their deleterious effects. We used a phenomenological model, which depends on several adjustable parameters, to reproduce the experimentally measured effects of inclusions on energy resolution. We also were able to hound the materials-related problem and predict the enhancement in performance expected by reducing the size and number of Te inclusions within the crystals.
Date: October 29, 2006
Creator: Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; Cui, Y.; Kohman, K. T.; Li, L.; Salomon, M. B. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Readout System for Arrays of Frisch-Ring CdZnTe Detectors. (open access)

Readout System for Arrays of Frisch-Ring CdZnTe Detectors.

Frisch-ring CdZnTe detectors have demonstrated good energy resolution for identifying isotopes, <1% FWHM at 662 keV, and good efficiency for detecting gamma rays. We will fabricate and test at Brookhaven National Laboratory an integrated module of a 64-element array of 6 x 6 x 12 mm{sup 3} Frisch-ring detectors, coupled with a readout electronics system. It supports 64 readout channels, and includes front-end electronics, signal processing circuit, USB interface and high-voltage power supply. The data-acquisition software is used to process the data stream, which includes amplitude and timing information for each detected event. This paper describes the design and assembly of the detector modules, readout electronics, and a conceptual prototype system. Some test results are also reported.
Date: October 29, 2006
Creator: Cui, Y.; Bolotnikov, A. E.; Camarda, G. S.; De Geronimo, G.; O'Connor, P.; James, R. B. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Do grain boundaries in nanophase metals slide? (open access)

Do grain boundaries in nanophase metals slide?

Nanophase metallic materials show a maximum in strength as grain size decreases to the nano scale, indicating a break down of the Hall-Petch relation. Grain boundary sliding, as a possible accommodation mechanisms, is often the picture that explain computer simulations results and real experiments. In a recent paper, Bringa et al. Science 309, 1838 (2005), we report on the observation of an ultra-hard behavior in nanophase Cu under shock loading, explained in terms of a reduction of grain boundary sliding under the influence of the shock pressure. In this work we perform a detailed study of the effects of hydrostatic pressure on nanophase Cu plasticity and find that it can be understood in terms of pressure dependent grain boundary sliding controlled by a Mohr-Coulomb law.
Date: October 27, 2006
Creator: Bringa, E M; Leveugle, E & Caro, A
System: The UNT Digital Library
Quantitative Experiments With Electrons in a Positively Charged Beam (open access)

Quantitative Experiments With Electrons in a Positively Charged Beam

Intense ion beams are an extreme example of, and difficult to maintain as, a non-neutral plasma. Experiments and simulations are used to study the complex interactions between beam ions and (unwanted) electrons. Such ''electron clouds'' limit the performance of many accelerators. To characterize electron clouds, a number of parameters are measured including: total and local electron production and loss for each of three major sources, beam potential versus time, electron line-charge density, and gas pressure within the beam. Electron control methods include surface treatments to reduce electron and gas emission, and techniques to remove, or block, electrons from the beam. Detailed, self-consistent simulations include beam-transport fields, and electron and gas generation and consistent transport, to compute unexpectedly rich behavior, much of which is confirmed experimentally. For example, in a quadrupole magnetic field, ion and dense electron plasmas interact to produce multi-kV oscillations in the electron plasma and distortions of the beam velocity space distribution, without becoming homogenous or locally neutral.
Date: October 27, 2006
Creator: Molvik, A W; Vay, J; Covo, M K; Cohen, R; Baca, D; Bieniosek, F et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Quantitative experiments with electrons in a positively chargedBeam (open access)

Quantitative experiments with electrons in a positively chargedBeam

None
Date: October 27, 2006
Creator: Molvik, A. W.; Vay, J. L.; Kireef Covo, M.; Cohen, R.; Baca, D.; Bieniosek, F. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Scrape-Off Layer Transport and Deposition Studies in DIII-D (open access)

Scrape-Off Layer Transport and Deposition Studies in DIII-D

Trace {sup 13}CH{sub 4} injection experiments into the main scrape-off layer of low density L-mode and high-density H-mode plasmas have been performed in the DIII-D tokamak [Luxon{_}NF02] to mimic the transport and deposition of carbon arising from a main chamber sputtering source. These experiments indicated entrainment of the injected carbon in plasma flow in the main SOL, and transport toward the inner divertor. Ex-situ surface analysis showed enhanced {sup 13}C surface concentration at the corner formed by the divertor floor and the angled target plate of the inner divertor in L-mode; in H-mode, both at the corner and along the surface bounding the private flux region inboard of the outer strike point. Interpretative modeling was made consistent with these experimental results by imposing a parallel carbon ion flow in the main SOL toward the inner target, and a radial pinch toward the separatrix. Predictive modeling carried out to better understand the underlying plasma transport processes suggests that the deuterium flow in the main SOL is related to the degree of detachment of the inner divertor leg. These simulations show that carbon ions are entrained with the deuteron flow in the main SOL via frictional coupling, but higher charge state carbon …
Date: October 27, 2006
Creator: Groth, M.; Allen, S.; Boedo, J.; Brooks, N.; Elder, J.; Fenstermacher, M. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Stability Of Plasma Configurations During Compression (open access)

Stability Of Plasma Configurations During Compression

Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) efforts are based on calculations showing that the addition of a closed magnetic field reduces the driver pressure and rise time requirements for inertial confinement fusion by reducing thermal conductivity. Instabilities that result in convective bulk transport at the Alphen time scale are of particular concern since they are much faster than the implosion time. Such instabilities may occur during compression due to, for example, an increase in the plasma-magnetic pressure ratio {beta} or, in the case of a rotating plasma, spin-up due to angular momentum conservation. Details depend on the magnetic field topology and compression geometry. A hard core z pinch with purely azimuthal magnetic field can theoretically be made that relaxes into a wall supported diffuse profile satisfying the Kadomtsev criterion for the stability of m = 0 modes, which is theoretically preserved during cylindrical outer wall compression. The center conductor radius and current must also be large enough to keep the {beta} below stability limits to stabilize modes with m > 0. The stability of m > 0 modes actually improves during compression. A disadvantage of this geometry, though, is plasma contact with the solid boundaries. In addition to the risk of high …
Date: October 27, 2006
Creator: Ruden, E L & Hammer, J H
System: The UNT Digital Library
Assessing the Prospects for Achieving Double-Shell Ignition on the National Ignition Facility Using Vacuum Hohlraums (open access)

Assessing the Prospects for Achieving Double-Shell Ignition on the National Ignition Facility Using Vacuum Hohlraums

The goal of demonstrating ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) has motivated a revisit of double-shell (DS) targets as a complementary path to the cryogenic baseline approach. Expected benefits of DS ignition targets include non-cryogenic deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel preparation, minimal hohlraum-plasma mediated laser backscatter, low threshold ignition temperatures ({approx} 4 keV) for relaxed hohlraum x-ray flux asymmetry tolerances, and minimal (two-) shock timing requirements. On the other hand, DS ignition presents several formidable challenges, encompassing room-temperature containment of high-pressure DT ({approx} 790 atm) in the inner shell, strict concentricity requirements on the two shells (< 3 {micro}m), development of nano-porous (<100 nm) low-density (<100 mg/cc) metallic foams for structural support of the inner shell and hydrodynamic instability mitigation, and effective control of hydrodynamic instabilities on the high-Atwood number interface between the DT fuel and the high-Z inner shell. Recent progress in DS ignition designs and required materials-science advances at the nanoscale are described herein. Two new ignition designs that use rugby-shaped vacuum hohlraums are presented which utilize either 1 MJ or 2 MJ of laser energy at 3{omega}. The capability of the NIF to generate the requested reverse-ramp pulse shape for DS ignition is expected to be comparable to …
Date: October 26, 2006
Creator: Amendt, P.; Cerjan, C.; Hamza, A.; Hinkel, D.; Milovich, J. L. & Robey, H. F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fabrication of Double Shell Targets with a Glass Inner Capsule Supported by SiO2 Aerogel for Shots on the Omega Laser in 2006 (open access)

Fabrication of Double Shell Targets with a Glass Inner Capsule Supported by SiO2 Aerogel for Shots on the Omega Laser in 2006

Indirectly driven double shell implosions are being investigated as a possible noncryogenic path to ignition on the National Ignition Facility. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has made several technological advances that have produced double shell targets that represent a significant improvement to previously fielded targets. The inner capsule is supported inside the ablator shell by SiO{sub 2} aerogel with a nominal density of 50 mg/cm{sup 3}. The aerogel is cast around the inner capsule and then machined concentric to it. The seamless sphere of aerogel containing the embedded capsule is then assembled between the two halves of the ablator shell. The concentricity between the two shells has been improved to less than 1.5 {micro}m. The ablator shell consists of two hemispherical shells that mate at a step joint that incorporates a gap with a nominal thickness of 0.1 {micro}m. Using a new flexure-based tool holder that precisely positions the diamond cutting tool on the diamond turning machine, step discontinuities on the inner surface of the ablator of less than 0.5 {micro}m have been achieved. New methods have been used to comprehensively characterize each of the targets using high-resolution x-ray imaging systems.
Date: October 26, 2006
Creator: Bono, M.; Bennett, D.; Castro, C.; Satcher, J.; Poco, J.; Brown, W. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Laser Beam Propagation through Inertial Confinement Fusion Hohlraum Plasmas (open access)

Laser Beam Propagation through Inertial Confinement Fusion Hohlraum Plasmas

A study of the relevant laser-plasma interaction processes has been performed in long-scale length plasmas that emulate the plasma conditions in indirect drive inertial confinement fusion targets. Experiments in this high-temperature (T{sub e} = 3.5 keV), dense (n{sub e} = 0.5 - 1 x 10{sup -3}) hohlraum plasma have demonstrated that blue 351-nm laser beams produce less than 1% total backscatter resulting in transmission greater than 90% for ignition relevant laser intensities (I < 2 x 10{sup 15} W cm{sup -2}). The bulk plasma conditions have been independently characterized using Thomson scattering where the peak electron temperatures are shown to scale with the hohlraum heater beam energy in the range from 2 keV to 3.5 keV. This feature has allowed us to determine the thresholds for both backscattering and filamentation instabilities; the former measured with absolutely calibrated full aperture backscatter and near backscatter diagnostics and the latter with a transmitted beam diagnostics. Comparing the experimental results with detailed gain calculations for the onset of significant laser scattering processes shows that these results are relevant for the outer beams in ignition hohlraum experiments corresponding to a gain threshold for stimulated Brillouin scattering of 15. By increasing the gas fill density in …
Date: October 26, 2006
Creator: Froula, D. H.; Divol, L.; Meezan, N. B.; DIxit, S.; Neumayer, P.; Moody, J. D. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library