TARGET DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FOR THE NATIONAL IGNITION FACILITY (INVITED)

A review of recent progress on the design of a diagnostic system propo sed for ignition target experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) will be presented. This diagnostic package contains an extensive suite of optical, x ray, gamma ray, and neutron diagnostics that enab le measurements of the performance of both direct and indirect driven NIF targets. The philosophy used in designing all of the diagnostics i n the set has emphasized redundant and independent measurement of fund amental physical quantities relevant to the operation of the NIF targe t. A unique feature of these diagnostics is that they are being design ed to be capable of operating in the high radiation, electromagnetic p ulse, and debris backgrounds expected on the NIF facility. The diagnos tic system proposed can be categorized into three broad areas: laser c haracterization, hohlraum characterization, and capsule performance di agnostics. The operating principles of a representative instrument fro m each class of diagnostic employed in this package will be summarized and illustrated with data obtained in recent prototype diagnostic tes ts. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.