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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Ablating Pellets for Areal Density Symmetry Control in Indirectly Driven Inertial Confinement Fusion Target Designs

Asymmetry of the compressed fusion fuel configuration, as characterized by a variation in areal density, in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions is a known performance limitation. While ignition has been achieved on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), implosion symmetry was not perfect, and subsequent experiments that have extended fusion performance still struggle with symmetry control and would, in principle, perform much better if the areal density uniformity of the fuel was improved by eliminating thin regions in the DT (Deuterium-Tritium) fuel that develop by the time of peak compression. In indirect drive (IDD), altering the time-dependent laser cone fraction and cross-beam energy transfer are the usual tactics for controlling implosion asymmetry in IDD target designs, but it may be that those tools have been pushed to their limits. In this Letter, we present a new tactic for controlling the implosion using satellite ablating pellets to manipulate the time-dependent x-ray field around an ICF capsule. In theory and in simulations the action of these pellets is quite effective at reducing the swing of x-ray drive from waist hot to pole hot, thus achieving a more one-dimensional fuel configuration at peak compression. Simulations show that a factor of ∼2 in yield performance can be obtained via this technique, when applied to past record implosions on the NIF. As a result, some speculative alternate uses of the proposed target concept are also mentioned in the conclusion of this Letter.

Implosion symmetry↗
DOE OSTI2025

High Energy Density Physics of Inertial Confinement Fusion Ablator Materials

The historic December 5, 2022 experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Lab’s (LLNL) National Ignition Facility (NIF) reached fusion energy ignition for the first time. This is the most important scientific breakthrough of the 21st century paves the way to future clean inertial fusion energy (IFE). The diamond (high density carbon (HDC)) ablator material used in this experiment displays detrimental effects due to the development of hydrodynamic instabilities at the diamond/fuel interface under shock compression. New alternatives to diamond ablators are required to step up the energy yield in ICF experiments. The unique combination of mechanical strength (approaching that of diamond), the ability to accommodate high-Z dopants (in contrast to diamond), and the tunability of the properties (through synthesis material with varying sp 3 content) make amorphous carbon (a-C) a promising material for next-generation IFE ablative capsules. However, despite its critical importance to the IFE program, the behavior of a-C carbon at extreme temperatures and pressures remains largely unexplored. The primary goals of this project were to perform groundbreaking dynamic compression experiments and predictive simulations to uncover the fundamental high-energy-density physics of amorphous carbon. Our goals were (1) to uncover the metastability range of amorphous carbon and probe phase transitions to diamond or metastable supercooled liquid carbon; (2) to acquire high-quality equation of state (EOS) data and develop an experimentally validated EOS from machine-learning MD simulations of the complex states of carbon; and (3) to uncover the complex behavior of carbon liquid in both thermodynamically stable and metastable supercooled states by accessing large areas of carbon phase diagram with amorphous samples with variable sp 3 content. Our proposed experimental program included measurements of equation of state and diffraction measurements using the Omega EP laser at the Laboratory of Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester. The theoretical/simulation program involved the development of machine-learning models of the complex response of amorphous carbon under dynamic compression by performing molecular dynamics simulations at experimental time and length scales using leadership class DOE supercomputers. Simulations guided experiments to observe predicted phenomena and acquire critical experimental data in specific pressure-temperature domains to validate theoretical models. This research delivered fundamental properties of novel amorphous carbon IFE ablator material, including phase diagram and EOS. These results will aid in IFE target design and implosion experiments. A unique combination of predictive simulations and dynamic and static experiments provided a highly inspirational intellectual environment for graduate students and postdocs involved in this project.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Correlating hot-electron preheat from the two-plasmon decay instability to $ρR$ degradation for direct-drive implosions on OMEGA

Focused experiments were performed with the goal of isolating the impact of hot-electron preheat on compression in deuterium–tritium (DT) layered, direct-drive implosions on OMEGA. Preheat from the hot-electrons generated by two-plasmon–decay (TPD) activity was varied through the incident laser intensity, with the total preheat energy deposited into unablated DT fuel being inferred using hard x-ray measurements. Results show a clear correlation between the inferred preheat levels and $ρR$ degradation that is consistent with a derived, 1D preheat model. A fit to the results also provides an estimated range of $ρR$ degradation from non-preheat sources for the adiabat ≈5 implosions used in this study. A follow-up study using targets containing Si-doped (5.5%) CH ablators (CHSi) demonstrated results consistent with mid-Z dopants mitigating TPD activity by showing these targets had almost no $ρR$ degradation as the laser intensity was increased up to levels previously considered damaging.

Doping↗
DOE OSTI2025

Inkless, dry printing nanographene via in-Situ Coordinated laser ablation and sintering processes

Printing carbon, such as graphene and other carbon structures, for flexible and printed electronics currently relies on either ink-based printing, laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT), or laser-induced graphitization (LIG) to convert carbon-rich precursor materials, such as polymers, to graphene-like carbon structures. Liquid inks contain toxic solvents, surfactants, and stabilizing additives that degrade electrical conductivity and require high-temperature post-processing. On the other hand, LIG is limited by the substrate. Here, this study introduces an additive manufacturing method for dry-printing carbon nanomaterials, ranging from amorphous carbon to crystalline graphene-like structures, on various substrates. The system utilizes laser ablation of a solid graphite target to create pure carbon nanoparticles in situ and on demand. An inert gas carries the nanoparticles onto the substrate, where they can be deposited either as amorphous structures or laser-sintered in real time to form various graphitic structures. The study of laser processing parameters, specifically fluence and pulse repetition frequency, revealed three unique regimes of nanostructure evolution that influence the morphological and electrical properties of these printed structures. Raman spectroscopy confirmed graphitization with a resistivity slightly higher than that of the bulk graphite target. The conductivity/resistivity could be tuned as a function of sintering laser power. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) revealed that turbostratic nanographene formed with an interlayer spacing of 0.40 nm. Despite ink-based printing methods, such as screen printing, inkjet printing (IJP), and aerosol jet printing (AJP), this eco-friendly and green manufacturing technique could eliminate toxic chemicals, reduce environmental impact, and enable single-step fabrication of carbon-based devices for applications in wearable sensors, energy storage, flexible electronics, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Additive nanomanufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2025

An experimental platform for investigating astrophysically relevant magnetized plasma jets on the COBRA facility

A new platform has been developed for the 1-MA COBRA generator to investigate the physical processes affecting the formation, collimation, and stability of high-speed outflows in magnetically driven laboratory plasma jets. Such experiments serve as diagnostically accessible surrogates for astrophysical jets under the assumption that the underlying dynamics are scale invariant. In contrast to previous current driven high energy density laboratory jet experiments that use radial/conical wire arrays or foils, the platform described here uses azimuthally symmetric gas-puff injection. This avoids the ablation phase from a solid target, allowing the jets to develop earlier and be driven longer without depleting their mass source and disrupting. A permanent magnet provides an initial poloidal magnetic field, which links the two concentric electrodes and mimics the boundary conditions of a star-accretion disk system. Extended magnetohydrodynamic effects can be assessed using a polarity convolute, which allows for reversal of the electrode bias. The resulting plasma jets exhibit remarkable stability, persisting for hundreds of nanoseconds and achieving aspect ratios ≳30:1.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

The role of thermal conduction on the size scaling of laser direct-drive implosions

Ablation pressure is a key parameter controlling laser drive performance in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions. In this work, we develop a theoretical framework to clarify the role of thermal conduction in determining how ablation pressure scales with laser intensity, wavelength, and target size. We focus on a steady-state, spherically expanding plasma produced when an over-dense pellet is irradiated by a high-intensity laser. Scaling laws for ablation pressure and the mass ablation rate are derived with respect to laser intensity, wavelength, and target size. As a result, the theoretical predictions are found to be in good agreement with one-dimensional hydrodynamics simulations in spherical geometry.

Ablation↗
NASA NTRS1997

Measurement of Charge Transfer Rate Coefficient Between Ground-State N(2+) Ion and He at Electron-Volt Energies

The charge transfer rate coefficient for the reaction N(2+)(2p(sup 2)P(sup 0)) + He yields products is measured by recording the time dependence of the N(2+) ions stored in an ion trap. A cylindrical radio-frequency ion trap was used to store N(2+) ions produced by laser ablation of a solid titanium nitride target. The decay of the ion signals was analyzed by single exponential least-squares fits to the data. The measured rate coefficient is 8.67(0.76) x 10(exp -11)sq cm/s. The N(2+) ions were at a mean energy of 2.7 eV while He gas was at room temperature, corresponding to an equivalent temperature of 3.9 x 10(exp 3) K. The measured value is in good agreement with a recent calculation.

Fang, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Charge Transfer Between Ground-State N(2+) and H2, N2, and CO at Electron-Volt Energies

The charge-transfer rate coefficients for reactions of N(2+)(2 S(sup 2)2p(sup 2)P(sup 0)) with H2, N2, and CO are measured using ion storage. A cylindrical rf ion trap was used to store N(2+) ions produced by laser ablation of a solid titanium nitride target. The rate coefficients were derived from the decay rate of the ion signal. The rate coefficients for the above three reactions are 3.38(0.35) x 10(exp -11)sq sm/s at T(sub equiv.)=2.9 x 10(exp 3) K, 2.10(0.18) x 10(exp -9)sq sm/s at T(sub equiv.) = 1.3 x 10(exp 4) K, and 3.37(0.29) x 10(exp -9)sq cm/s at T(sub equiv.) = 1.3 x 10(exp 4) K, respectively. No theoretical or other experimental values are available at this energy range.

Fang, Z.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Diagnostics of Carbon Nanotube Formation in a Laser Produced Plume: Spectroscopic in situ nanotube detection using spectral absorption and surface temperature measurements by black body emission

Carbon nanotubes hold great promise for material advancements in the areas of composites and electronics. The advancement of research in these areas is dependent upon the availability of carbon nanotubes to a broad spectrum of academic and industrial researchers. Although there has been much progress made in reducing the costs of carbon nanotubes and increasing the quality and purity of the products, an increase in demand for still less expensive and specific nanotubes types has also grown. This summer's work has involved two experiments that have been designed to further the understanding of the dynamics and chemical mechanisms of carbon nanotube formation. It is expected that a better understanding of the process of formation of nanotubes will aid current production designs and stimulate ideas for future production designs increasing the quantity, quality, and production control of carbon nanotubes. The first experiment involved the measurement of surface temperature of the target as a function of time with respect to the ablation lasers. A peak surface temperature of 5000 K was determined from spectral analysis of black body emission from the target surface. The surface temperature as a function of various changes in operating parameters was also obtained. This data is expected to aid the modeling of ablation and plume dynamics. The second experiment involved a time and spatial measurement of the spectrally resolved absorbance of the laser produced plume. This experiment explored the possibility of developing absorbance and fluorescence to detect carbon nanotubes during production. To attain control over the production of nanotubes with specific properties and reduce costs, a real time in situ diagnostics method would be very beneficial. Results from this summer's work indicate that detection of nanotubes during production may possibly be used for production feed back control.

DeBoer, Gary D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Review of Laser Ablation Process for Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Production

Different types of lasers are now routinely used to prepare single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The original method developed by researchers at Rice University utilized a "double pulse laser oven" process. A graphite target containing about 1 atomic percent of metal catalysts is ablated inside a 1473K oven using laser pulses (10 ns pulse width) in slow flowing argon. Two YAG lasers with a green pulse (532 nm) followed by an IR pulse (1064 nm) with a 50 ns delay are used for ablation. This set up produced single wall carbon nanotube material with about 70% purity having a diameter distribution peaked around 1.4 nm. The impurities consist of fullerenes, metal catalyst clusters (10 to 100 nm diameter) and amorphous carbon. The rate of production with the initial set up was about 60 mg per hour with 10Hz laser systems. Several researchers have used variations of the lasers to improve the rate, consistency and study effects of different process parameters on the quality and quantity of SWCNTs. These variations include one to three YAG laser systems (Green, Green and IR), different pulse widths (nano to microseconds as well as continuous) and different laser wavelengths (Alexandrite, CO, CO2, free electron lasers in the near to far infrared). It is noted that yield from the single laser (Green or IR) systems is only a fraction of the two laser systems. The yield seemed to scale up with the repetition rate of the laser systems (10 to 60 Hz) and depended on the beam uniformity and quality of the laser pulses. The shift to longer wavelength lasers (free electron, CO and CO2) did not improve the quality, but increased the rate of production because these lasers are either continuous (CW) or high repetition rate pulses (kHz to MHz). The average power and the peak power of the lasers seem to influence the yields. Very high peak powers (MegaWatts per square centimeter) are noted to increase ablation of bigger particles with reduced yields of SWCNTs. Increased average powers seem to help the conversion of the carbon from target into vapor phase to improve formation of nanotubes. The use of CW far infrared lasers reduced the need for the oven, at the expense of controlled ablation. Some of these variations are tried with different combinations and concentrations of metal catalysts (Nickel with Cobalt, Iron, Palladium and Platinum) different buffer gases (e.g. Helium); with different oven temperatures (Room temperature to 1473K); under different flow conditions (1 to 1000 kPa) and even different porosities of the graphite targets. It is to be noted that the original Cobalt and Nickel combination worked best, possibly because of improved carbonization with stable crystalline phases. The mean diameter and yield seemed to increase with increasing oven temperatures. Thermal conductivity of the buffer gas and flow conditions dictate the quality as well as quantity of the SWCNTs. Faster flows, lower pressures and heavier gases seem to increase the yields. This review will attempt to cover all these variations and their relative merits. Possible growth mechanisms under these different conditions will also be discussed.

Arepalli, Sivaram↗
NASA NTRS1984

An abrasion-ablation model description of galactic heavy-ion fragmentation

The fragmentation of high-energy galactic heavy ions by nuclear interactions with arbitrary target nuclei is described within the context of a simple abrasion-ablation fragmentation model. The abrasion part of the theory utilizes a quantum-mechanical formalism based upon an optical model potential approximation to the exact nucleus-nucleus multiple-scattering series. Nuclear charge distributions of the excited prefragments are calculated using either a hypergeometric distribution or a method based upon the zero-point oscillations of the giant dipole resonance. The excitation energy of the prefragment is estimated from the geometric clean-cut abrasion-ablation model. The decay probabilities for the various particle emission channels, in the ablation stage of the fragmentation, are obtained from the EVAP-4 Monte Carlo computer program. Elemental production cross sections for 1.88-GeV/nucleon iron colliding with carbon, silver, and lead targets are calculated and compared with experimental data and with the predictions from the semiempirical relations of Silberberg and Tsao.

Townsend, L. W.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Wetted-foam target stability for laser-direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

Using highly resolved three-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, the effects of wetted-foam (WF) ablators in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion cryogenic implosions on the OMEGA laser were investigated. The performance of these implosions was compared with that of implosions using targets with solid-plastic ablators. Simulations considering WF ablators as a homogeneous material show no mitigation of the effects of laser imprint, where the absence of this mitigation can be attributed to the use of picket pulses. Heterogeneous random-structure WF ablators introduce large short-wavelength perturbations, which are seeded by WF inhomogeneities. These perturbations exceed the perturbations seeded by the imprint and cause an additional reduction in implosion performance when the average pore size in the WF exceeds ~0.2 μm. Foam-seeded perturbations are expected to be less damaging in more stable high-adiabat (⁠ ≳ 5⁠) implosions. Here, the perturbations introduced by the WF ablators can be substantially reduced by using a foam matrix with a layered structure instead of a random one. Further study of the effects of WFs in ignition designs of the MJ laser energy scale is required in the perspective of future inertial fusion energy mass production.

Igumenshchev, I. V. [University of Rochester, NY (↗
NASA NTRS2015

Laser Surface Preparation of Epoxy Composites for Secondary Bonding: Optimization of Ablation Depth

Surface preparation has been identified as one of the most critical aspects of attaining predictable and reliable adhesive bonds. Energetic processes such as laser ablation or plasma treatment are amenable to automation and are easily monitored and adjusted for controlled surface preparation. A laser ablation process was developed to accurately remove a targeted depth of resin, approximately 0.1 to 20 micrometers, from a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite surface while simultaneously changing surface chemistry and creating micro-roughness. This work demonstrates the application of this process to prepare composite surfaces for bonding without exposing or damaging fibers on the surface. Composite panels were prepared in an autoclave and had a resin layer approximately 10 micrometers thick above the fiber reinforcement. These composite panels were laser surface treated using several conditions, fabricated into bonded panels and hygrothermally aged. Bond performance of aged, experimental specimens was compared with grit blast surface treated specimens using a modified double cantilever beam test that enabled accelerated saturation of the specimen with water. Comparison of bonded specimens will be used to determine how ablation depth may affect average fracture energies and failure modes.

Palmieri, Frank L.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Retro Rocket Motor Self-Penetrating Scheme for Heat Shield Exhaust Ports

A preliminary scheme was developed for base-mounted solid-propellant retro rocket motors to self-penetrate the Orion Crew Module heat shield for configurations with the heat shield retained during landings on Earth. In this system the motors propel impactors into structural push plates, which in turn push through the heat shield ablator material. The push plates are sized such that the remaining port in the ablator material is large enough to provide adequate flow area for the motor exhaust plume. The push plate thickness is sized to assure structural integrity behind the ablative thermal protection material. The concept feasibility was demonstrated and the performance was characterized using a gas gun to launch representative impactors into heat shield targets with push plates. The tests were conducted using targets equipped with Fiberform(R) and PICA as the heat shield ablator material layer. The PICA penetration event times were estimated to be under 30 ms from the start of motor ignition. The mass of the system (not including motors) was estimated to be less than 2.3 kg (5 lbs) per motor. The configuration and demonstrations are discussed.

landing system↗
DOE OSTI2026

Improving indirect-drive ablator performance through pulse shaping and material selection in double shell implosions

The double shell path to inertially confined volumetric thermonuclear burn relies on efficient kinetic energy transfer from an outer ablator shell to an inner shell containing DT fuel at implosion velocities near 250 km/s. In order to experimentally realize adequate compression, target imperfections and assembly features must be tightly controlled. Pulse shape and ablator material are critical design choices that impact all aspects of the implosion. In this article, we evaluate three designs: an Al ablator with single-shock radiation drive, a CH ablator with single-shock drive, and a CH ablator with reduced-adiabat 2-shock drive. All designs use the same W inner (pusher) shell overcoated with a glow discharge polymer tamper and filled with liquid-density DT. One-dimensional HYDRA simulations revealed that the plastic ablator design required the use of the 2-shock drive to match the performance of the Al design. Two-dimensional simulations resolving broadband surface roughness up to modes of several hundred placed only on the ablator showed plastic to greatly outperform Al. The plastic ablator designs did exhibit higher levels of inner shell instability growth when surface roughness was only placed at the pusher/tamper interface, which was mitigated with higher foam cushion densities. A unique and additional benefit of a plastic ablator is also discussed, where heating of the ablator by Au M-band radiation is predicted to rapidly expand the hemi-shell surfaces, closing the equatorial joint gap ahead of the first shock. Taken together, the properties of the plastic ablator for indirect-drive double shell implosions appear promising in removing several long-standing fabrication challenges.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

An Approach to Critical Ablative TPS Capabilities Sustainment for Future NASA Missions

We plan to present an approach for NASA to maintain critical ablative TPS capabilities through small, sus-tained, smart and targeted investment. Historically, we have been pound foolish and penny wise for decades and paid very little attention to sustainability of abla-tive TPS and as a result, spent couple of decades in learning what we lost and inventing newer technology solutions. NASA’s ablative TPS history has been one of in-vesting in new and unique capabilities in anticipation of needs, and once flight proven, letting the capability atrophy due to lack of subsequent near-term mission needs [1]. When the need arises, NASA has resorted to two options: (1) revive the capability at considerable cost impact, or (2) develop an alternate capability with considerable schedule impact. Both these options have had considerable mission impact. The third alternate is to maintain proven capabilities in a cost effective manner. A risk informed decision process in terms of maintaining ablative TPS capabilities is feasible with planning and sustained support. Assured TPS availa-bility will allow the science community to propose competed missions with confidence and at a lower risk for selection. We submitted a white paper to the cur-rent Decadal Survey [2] on the need for and im-portance of sustainability. Since then, we have been formulating an executable cost effective strategy. The intent of this presentation is to outline the develop-ments since the submission of the white paper. NASA and DoD have had a working group related to critical technologies to periodically assess and make recommendations on at-risk items from a national need perspective. This inter-agency working group typically focuses on raw materials availability. While we agree that at-risk raw materials are important, fo-cus solely on them is not sufficient. Instead, we advo-cate for a broader focus that includes not only raw material but also industrial manufacturing and processing, and NASA expertise in design, testing and flight hardware certification. In this proposed presentation, we will give a brief overview of NASA’s ablative TPS history along with recent examples of atrophy to highlight case studies related to the PICA and Carbon-Phenolic TPS. We will present the rationale for sustaining PICA, HEEET and 3MDCP for future NASA missions. We will present an approach for how targeted small investments could lead to maintaining mission critical capabilities over long periods.

E Venkatapathy↗
NASA NTRS2018

Determination of Cross-Sectional Area of Focused Picosecond Gaussian Laser Beam

Measurement of the waist diameter of a focused Gaussian-beam at the 1/e(sup 2) intensity, also referred to as spot size, is key to determining the fluence in laser processing experiments. Spot size measurements are also helpful to calculate the threshold energy and threshold fluence of a given material. This work reports an application of a conventional method, by analyzing single laser ablated spots for different laser pulse energies, to determine the cross-sectional area of a focused Gaussian-beam, which has a nominal pulse width of approx. 10 ps. Polished tungsten was used as the target material, due to its low surface roughness and low ablation threshold, to measure the beam waist diameter. From the ablative spot measurements, the ablation threshold fluence of the tungsten substrate was also calculated.

Ledesma, Rodolfo↗
NASA NTRS1985

A simplified optical model description of heavy ion fragmentation

The abrasion-ablation model of heavy-ion frgmentation by target nuclei of Townsend (1983) and the EVAP Monte Carlo computer program (Guthrie, 1970) for decay probabilities are applied to calculate the production cross sections of isotopes of S, P, Si, and Al for the fragmentation of 213-MeV/nucleon Ar-40 ions by C-12 targets and of Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, Sc, and Ca for 1.88-GeV Fe-56 fragmentation by Pb-208 and by C-12. The results are presented in tables and graphs and shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data of Viyogi et al. (1979) and Westfall et al. (1979). The implications of these studies for the design of radiation shielding for long-term manned space missions are indicated.

Townsend, L. W.↗