Heavy-ion target physics and design in the USA

We present data and simulations of our first experiment to test shims as a method for improving symmetry in indirect drive targets. In the first set of experiments, we succeeded in reversing a P2 from a capsule waist high drive to a capsule pole high drive. Shims are an important target design feature in the heavy-ion “hybrid” target. To help with optimizing a heavy-ion fusion power plant based on the hybrid target, we also calculated gain curves for this target. In addition, we are using analytic theory to test our computational models of nonlinear Rayleigh–Taylor instability bubble growth in converging geometry. This will give confidence in computational models as we push the capsule into areas of parameter space that are easier for the other parts of the power plant (accelerator, target fabrication) but have less margin and more instability growth.