Session RP1 - Poster Session VIII.
POSTER session, Thursday afternoon, October 30
Fran Hill Southeast Exhibit Hall, ACC
We have performed a series of detailed simulations of shock propagation through two-dimensional models of foam ablators, using NRL's FAST radiation hydrodynamics code (J.H. Gardner, A.J. Schmitt, et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 1935 (1998)). These models differ from those used in previous simulations in incorporating the effects of radiation, heat, and detailed equations of state for the components of the foams (CH, DT, and RF). It was found that the selective absorption of radiation by the CH or RF fibers dramatically changes the structure of the foam in front of the shock, which in turn has a large effect on the characteristics of the propagating shockwave. We attempt to draw some preliminary conclusions for the design of high-gain direct-drive ICF targets. We also reexamine the results of experiments, performed at NRL's Nike laser facility, on the propagation of shocks through foam ablators, in light of our simulation results.