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Studies in the nonlinear evolution of the Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities and their role in inertial confinement fusion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1999

D. ORON
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
O. SADOT
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
Y. SREBRO
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
A. RIKANATI
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
Y. YEDVAB
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
U. ALON
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel Dept. of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
L. EREZ
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
G. EREZ
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
G. BEN-DOR
Affiliation:
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel
L.A. LEVIN
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel
D. OFER
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel
D. SHVARTS
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics, Nuclear Research Center, Negev 84190, Israel

Abstract

Hydrodynamic instabilities, such as the Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities, play a central role when trying to achieve net thermonuclear fusion energy via the method of inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The development of hydrodynamic instabilities on both sides of the compressed shell may cause shell breakup and ignition failure. A newly developed statistical mechanics model describing the evolution of the turbulent mixing zone from an initial random perturbation is presented. The model will be shown to compare very well both with full numerical simulations and with experiments, performed using high power laser systems, and using shock tubes. Applying the model to typical ICF implosion conditions, an estimation of the maximum allowed target, in-flight aspect ratio as a function of equivalent surface roughness, will be derived.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press

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