This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9591 including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

Past papers demonstrated advancements made on developing scientific PMOS/NMOS CMOS imagers that match or exceed CCD performance. New data and discussions presented in this paper present further progress on subject matters that include: 1). subcarrier read noise performance with understandings for how the noise floor can be reduced further, 2). comprehensive correlated double sampling (CDS) signal processing noise fundamentals in response to random telegraph and flicker noise sources, 3). high energy radiation damage test data from NASA's BSI SoloHi/WISPR CMOS imager and 4). update on a new scientific BSI PMOS/NMOS stitched Mk x Nk x 10 um 5TPPD pixel imager being fabricated for Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) and NASA's Europa Clipper mission.

The 3ω scattered light polarimetry diagnostic in the 30° incidence cone backscatter diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is being upgraded to measure the full time-resolved Stokes vector. Previously, the diagnostic had a single channel capable of diagnosing the time-integrated balance of the horizontal and vertical polarizations. Two additional channels were added – one that measures the balance of the 45° and 135° projections, and another that measures the right- and left-circular polarizations – and together the three complete the Stokes vector measurement. A division-of-aperture scheme is employed in which three nearby portions of the near field are sampled simultaneously. Time resolution is obtained by relaying an image of the measured regions onto a set of fibers coupled to diodes. The new diagnostic will be capable of measuring scattered light signals <≈ .1GW with ≈ 120ps time resolution. This will allow more rigorous evaluation of earlier indications that backscatter polarization can serve as a quantitative diagnostic of crossed-beam energy transfer in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments. It will also be used to diagnose Faraday rotation induced by magnetic fields in collisionless shock and turbulent dynamo experiments later this year.

The Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) is a critical diagnostic in Inertial Confinement Fusion and High Energy Density research as it has the ability to track shock fronts or interfaces moving 0.1-100 km/s with great accuracy. At the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the VISAR has recently been used successfully for implosion tuning and equation of state measurements. However, the initial design of the companion Streaked Optical Pyrometer (SOP) to measure spectral radiance - hence shock temperature - suffers from large background levels and poor spatial resolution. We report on an upgrade to improve the spatial resolution in the 560-640nm band by using custom lenses and replacing the Dove prism with a K-mirror and implementing a gating-circuit for the streak camera to reduce background signal. We envision that upgraded SOP will provide high quality data collection matching NIF VISAR's standards.

Gated x-ray images through the laser entrance hole (LEH) of a hohlraum can provide critical information for ICF experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), such as the size of the LEH vs time, the growth of the gold bubble¹, and the change in the brightness of inner beam spots due to time-varying cross beam energy transfer². Incorporating a high-speed multi-frame CMOS x-ray imager developed by Sandia National Laboratories^3,4 into the existing Static X-ray Imager (SXI) diagnostic5 at NIF, the new Gated LEH Imager #1 (G-LEH-1) diagnostic is capable of capturing two to four LEH images per shot on its 1024x448 pixel photo detector array, with integration times as low as 2 ns per frame. The design of this diagnostic and its implementation on NIF will be presented.

X-ray Diodes (XRDs) are currently used for spectroscopic measurements, measuring X-ray flux, and estimating spectral shape of the VUV to soft X-ray spectrum. A niche exists for an inexpensive, robust X-ray diode that can be used for experiments in hostile environments on multiple platforms, including explosively driven experiments that have the potential for destroying the diode during the experiment. A multiple channel stacked filtered array was developed with a small field of view where a wider parallel array could not be used, but filtered channels for energies lower than 1000 eV were too fragile to deploy under normal conditions. To achieve both the robustness and the required low-energy detection ability, we designed a small low-energy mirrored channel with a spectral sensitivity from 30 to 1000 eV. The stacked MiniXRD X-ray diode system design incorporates the mirrored low-energy channel on the front of the stacked filtered channels to allow the system to work within a small field of view. We will present results that demonstrate this is a promising solution for low-energy spectrum measurements.

The NIFs 192 lasers can deliver 2 MJ of energy to Target Chamber Center (TCC) to produce environments not available in any other experimental laboratory. The NIFs ability to deliver such intense energy to a small volume causes harsh consequences to experimental equipment and supporting diagnostics such as holhraums, support packages, target positioners, diagnostic equipment, and laser optics. Of these, the hohlraum and support packages are typically quickly vaporized and transformed into an expanding shell of high-hypersonic gases referred to as debris wind. During an experimental event such as fusion implosion, the target diagnostic components used to measure key observables in the experiment are subjected to extreme pressures and impact shocks due to incident debris wind loading. As diagnostics are positioned closer to TCC, the diagnostic pinhole stacks and other components along the diagnostic structure become more likely to be at or above the yield strength of the materials commonly used. In particular, the pinhole stack components and data recording instruments behind the pinholes are the most costly to replace. Thus, a conceptual configuration for a pinhole shield is proposed, analyzed, and tested with the intent of mitigating damage to the pinhole stack and imaging equipment and allowing immediate re-use of this diagnostic equipment. This pinhole shield would be a replaceable window that can be replaced quickly by inserting and removing it before and after each experimental laser shot, which will allow NIF to benefit from significant material and labor costs.

The Omega Laser Facility at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics is a 60-beam system used for inertial confinement fusion experiments. Uniform drive of the target surface requires precise beam timing to achieve accurate power balance. A new diagnostic has been implemented for measuring the relative beam-to-beam arrival time of each of the 60 beamlines. A 900-μm spherical diffuser placed at the target chamber center serves as a quasi-isotropic scattering source that allows a fixed optical detector to view light from any individual beamline. During a beam-timing run, the OMEGA laser is configured to generate frequency-tripled, 351-nm ultraviolet (UV) pulses with energies of ~50 pJ at a repetition rate of 5 Hz. Light from the scattering target is optically relayed to a fast photomultiplier tube and recorded on a digital oscilloscope. A portion of the original infrared (IR) seed pulse is fiber optically delivered to the beam-timing oscilloscope and recorded using a photodiode. By recording the scattered UV pulse and the IR seed on the same oscilloscope trace, a jitter-free measurement of the beam’s arrival time can be made. Discrepancies in beam timing are corrected by adjusting the total optical path length of the beamlines. Typical variation in the measured arrival times of all 60 OMEGA beams after adjustment is <5 ps root mean square

This paper covers a systems engineering analysis of existing scope-based Target Diagnostics (TD) on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), for the purpose of selecting a standard digitizer architecture future diagnostics. Key performance criteria and a summary of test results are presented.

Currently of the 60+ Target Diagnostics, at least fifteen use a type of high speed electrical signal data read-out device leading to over 200 digitization channels spread over six types of CRT and digital oscilloscopes, each with multiple models and versions. The proposed standard architecture discussed in this paper allows the NIF to efficiently and reliably operate digitizers that meet the required performance metrics for the lifetime of the NIF.

The systems engineering analysis identifies key stakeholders for multiple subsets of scope-based diagnostics including but not limited to the nToFs (neutron Time of Flight), DANTE a broadband, time-resolved x-ray spectrometer, SPBT (South Pole Bang Time), GRH (Gamma Reaction History), and FFLEX (Filter Fluorescer Diagnostic). From these stakeholders, key performance metrics are derived and feed into test and evaluation criteria for different digitizers and architectures.

The Near Backscatter Imager (NBI) participates in nearly every kind of experiment conducted at NIF and measures backscatter, the result of the interaction between incident laser light and plasma waves at a target. Large Spectralon plates, on the order of a hundreds of mm per side, are used as Lambertian scatter components for the NBI diagnostics. The plates were deployed in 2009 and replaced in April of 2014. All NBI assemblies suffered reflectivity degradation, and some of these changes were spatially localized defects observed after irradiation to a cumulative combined neutron and Υ dose of 0.038 Gy. The growth of a defect was correlated to the combined cumulative neutron and Υ radiation dose from NIF fusion shots.

Spectralon plates that were irradiated to cumulative combined neutron and Υ dose of 0.74 Gy were characterized for materials and mechanical changes with the following techniques: RBS, FTIR, XPS, SEM, EDX and tensile tests. These tests indicate that the bulk Spectralon did not measurably degrade but there are discolorations that affect the reflectivity. Surface analysis indicates that the surface CF₂ species re-forms to make various organic and CF_x species.

The optical streak cameras currently used at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) implement the P510 electron tube from Photonis¹. The existing high voltage electronics provide DC bias voltages to the cathode, slot, and focusing electrodes. The sweep deflection plates are driven by a ramp voltage. This configuration has been very successful for the majority of measurements required at NIF. New experiments require that the photocathode be gated or blanked to reduce the effects of undesirable scattered light competing with low light level experimental data. The required ~2500V gate voltage is applied between the photocathode and the slot electrode in response to an external trigger to allow the electrons to flow. Otherwise the slot electrode is held approximately 100 Volts more negative than the potential of the photocathode, preventing electron flow. This article reviews the implementation and performance of the gating circuit that applies an electronic gate to the photocathode with a nominal 50ns rise and fall time, and a pulse width between 50ns and 2000ns.

Inertial confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) rely on a neutron imager to measure the 2D size and shape of the neutron-producing region in the burning deuterium-tritium plasma. Since the existing neutron imager is located on the equator of the NIF chamber, it provides only one view of the plasma, which complicates understanding the inherently three-dimensional nature of the implosion. Attempts to use x-ray images combined with the neutron image to improve our understanding of the 3D neutron-burn volume have proved to be inconsistent with the fuel mass. This result is understandable since neutrons and x-rays are not produced or propagated in the same manner. Thus, it is desirable to use multiple neutron imagers, and we are designing two neutron imagers on lines of sight that are nearly orthogonal to the current imager, one near the pole of the chamber and one near the equator, for fielding on the NIF in the next five years. In this paper, we will discuss the current designs, including the resolution, field of view and placement in the facility that will be required to use the three orthogonal neutron imagers to measure the neutron burn volume of plasmas at NIF. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

The Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) diagnostic apparatus operates at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). At the NIF, xenon is injected into the target chamber as a tracer, used as an analyte in the NIF targets, and generated as a fission product from 14 MeV neutron fission of depleted uranium contained in the NIF hohlraum. Following a NIF shot, the RAGS apparatus used to collect the gas from the NIF target chamber and then to cryogenically fractionate xenon gas. Radio-xenon and other activation products are collected and counted via gamma spectrometry, with the results used to determine critical physics parameters including: capsule areal density, fuel-ablator mix, and nuclear cross sections.

At the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the flux of neutrons and charged particles at peak burn in an inertial confinement fusion capsule induces measureable concentrations of nuclear reaction products in the target material. Radiochemical analysis of post-shot debris can be used to determine diagnostic parameters associated with implosion of the capsule, including fuel areal density and ablator-fuel mixing. Additionally, analysis of debris from specially doped targets can support nuclear forensic research.

We have developed and are deploying the Vast Area Detection for Experimental Radiochemistry (VADER) diagnostic to collect shot debris and interact with post-shot reaction products at the NIF. VADER uses quick release collectors that are easily reconfigured for different materials and geometries. Collectors are located ~50 cm from the NIF target; each of up to 9 collectors views ~0.005-0.0125 steradians solid angle, dependent upon configuration.

Dynamic loading of the NIF target vaporized mass was modelled using LS-DYNA. 3-dimensional printing was utilized to expedite the design process. Model-based manufacturing was used throughout.

We will describe the design and operation of this diagnostic as well as some initial results.

Neutron activation diagnostics are commonly employed as baseline neutron yield and relative spatial flux measurement instruments. Much insight into implosion performance has been gained by deployment of up to 19 identical activation diagnostic samples distributed around the target chamber at unique angular locations. Their relative simplicity and traceability provide neutron facilities with a diagnostic platform that is easy to implement and verify. However, the current National Ignition Facility (NIF) implementation relies on removable activation samples, creating a 1-2 week data turn-around time and considerable labor costs. The system described here utilizes a commercially-available lanthanum bromide (cerium-doped) scintillator with an integrated MCA emulator as the counting system and a machined zirconium-702 cap as the activation medium. The device is installed within the target bay and monitored remotely. Additionally, this system allows the placement of any activation medium tailored to the specific measurement needs. We discuss the design and function of a stand-alone and permanently installed neutron activation detector unit to measure the yield and average energy of a nominal 14 MeV neutron source with a pulse length less than one nanosecond.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) Opacity Spectrometer (OpSpec) is a modular spectrometer designed initially for opacity experiments on NIF. The design of the OpSpec is presented in light of the requirements and constraints. Potential dispersing elements and detector configurations are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are discussed. The full OpSpec design covers the energy range from approximately 550 eV to 2 keV. The energy resolution of the OpSpec is E/ΔE > 500. Applications of the OpSpec are discussed, including relevant astrophysical applications for NIF experiments, and will compliment recently published work on the Z machine. (Bailey, et al., Nature 517, 56-59 (2015).) This work was done by National Security Technologies, LLC, under Contract No. DE-AC52-06NA25946 with the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has been developing a novel X-ray imager for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) utilizing Kirkpatrick-Baez (KB) mirror geometry. A fully assembled mirror pack contains four KB optic pairs featuring cylindrical mirrors with custom-designed multilayer coatings. Multiple interchangeable mirror packs have been commissioned for various experimental campaigns, with high spatial resolution (< 5 μm) at the center of the field of view and 12× magnification.

Tight tolerances on the grazing angles of the X-ray mirrors require precision alignment and assembly of each component via a coordinate measuring machine, and a comprehensive off-line calibration of the four KB channels at X-ray wavelengths. The main goals of the calibration campaign are to measure the performance of the multilayer, validate the assembly procedure by measuring the as-built spatial resolution and determine the best object to mirror pack distance (drive depth) of the microscope for fielding at NIF. We report on the results of this effort on the first fully assembled NIF KB X-ray imager.

Various crystals are used for the dispersive components of X-ray spectrometers. The crystals are usually bent to meet the desired measurement needs, such as focusing. The bending can change the crystal diffraction properties, thus altering the spectrometer throughput and resolving power. This work concerns measuring the diffraction properties of a potassium acid phthalate (001) [KAP(001)] crystal bent into a circular cylinder segment. The measurement methods using a diode source and a synchrotron source are described. The multi-lamellar model for calculating the diffraction properties of a bent crystal is described. The measurement results are compared to the multi-lamellar model and show qualitative agreement. The measurements show how to make the multi-lamellar calculations a useful estimate. A method is given to make useful estimates of the diffraction properties of a KAP(001) crystal bent into a circular cylinder segment.

We present new designs for the launch and receiver boards used in a high speed x-ray framing camera at the National Ignition Facility. The new launch board uses a Klopfenstein taper to match the 50 ohm input impedance to the ~10 ohm microchannel plate. The new receiver board incorporates design changes resulting in an output monitor pulse shape that more accurately represents the pulse shape at the input and across the microchannel plate; this is valuable for assessing and monitoring the electrical performance of the assembled framing camera head. The launch and receiver boards maximize power coupling to the microchannel plate, minimize cross talk between channels, and minimize reflections. We discuss some of the design tradeoffs we explored, and present modeling results and measured performance. We also present our methods for dealing with the non-ideal behavior of coupling capacitors and terminating resistors. We compare the performance of these new designs to that of some earlier designs.

The Nation Ignition Facility (NIF) conducts a variety of experiments to study matter at the extremes, including studies of material properties, hydrodynamics, and the interaction of intense radiation fields with matter. The NIF supports the users by operating twenty-four hours a day, with a laser shot rate that averages one per day.

We have developed a shot time camera that has the capability to provide an image of each shot for the users. While initially more of a promotional tool, there is emerging interest from the scientific staff in support of their experiments at the NIF. The shot time camera is a time integrated, shot-triggered, digital camera that images visible light generated at shot time in the NIF target chamber. It is selectable by the user and operates automatically with the NIF shot cycle. We will discuss the system design, recent results, and plans for the future.

Geometrically enhanced photocathodes are currently being developed for use in applications that seek to improve detector efficiency in the visible to X-ray ranges. Various photocathode surface geometries are typically chosen based on the detector operational wavelength region, along with requirements such as spatial resolution, temporal resolution and dynamic range. Recently, a structure has been identified for possible use in the X-ray region. This anisotropic high aspect ratio structure has been produced in silicon using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching technology. The process is specifically developed with respect to the pattern density and geometry of the photocathode chip to achieve the desired sidewall profile angle. The tapered sidewall profile angle precision has been demonstrated to be within ± 2.5° for a ~ 12° wall angle, with feature sizes that range between 4-9 μm in diameter and 10-25 μm depth. Here we discuss the device applications, design and present the method used to produce a set of geometrically enhanced high yield X-ray photocathodes in silicon.

The Ultra-Fast X-ray Imager (UXI) program is an ongoing effort at Sandia National Laboratories to create high speed, multi-frame, time gated Read Out Integrated Circuits (ROICs), and a corresponding suite of photodetectors to image a wide variety of High Energy Density (HED) physics experiments on both Sandia’s Z-Machine and the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The program is currently fielding a 1024 x 448 prototype camera with 25 μm pixel spatial resolution, 2 frames of in-pixel storage and the possibility of exchanging spatial resolution to achieve 4 or 8 frames of storage. The camera’s minimum integration time is 2 ns. Minimum signal target is 1500 e- rms and full well is 1.5 million e-. The design and initial characterization results will be presented as well as a description of future imagers.