Advances in target design and fabrication for experiments on NIF

Abstract

The ability to build target platforms for National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a key feature in LANL's (Los Alamos National Laboratory) Target Fabrication Program. We recently built and manufactured the first LANL targets to be fielded on NIF in March 2011. Experiments on NIF require precision component manufacturing and accurate knowledge of the materials used in the targets. The characterization of foams and aerogels, the Be ignition capsule, and machining unique components are of main material focus. One important characterization metric the physics' have determined is that the knowledge of density gradients in foams is important. We are making strides in not only locating these density gradients in aerogels and foams as a result of how they are manufactured and machined but also quantifying the density within the foam using 3D confocal micro x-ray fluorescence (μXRF) imaging and 3D x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. In addition, collaborative efforts between General Atomics (GA) and LANL in the characterization of the NIF Ignition beryllium capsule have shown that the copper in the capsule migrates radially from the capsule center.