THOMSON SCATTERING FROM INERTIAL-CONFINEMENT-FUSION HOHLRAUM PLASMAS

We present the first Thomson scattering measurements of local plasma c onditions in ignition-relevant, gas-filled, inertial-confinement-fusio n hohlraums. The experimental data provide a benchmark for two-dimensi onal hydrodynamic simulations using LASNEX, which is presently in use to predict the performance of future megajoule laser-driven hohlraums of the National Ignition Facility. The data are consistent with modeli ng using significantly inhibited heat transport at the peak of the dri ve. Further, we find that stagnating plasma regions on the hohlraum ax is are well described by the calculations.