Time-Dependent Nuclear Measurements of Mix in Inertial Confinement Fusion

The first time-dependent nuclear measurements of turbulent mix in inertial confinement fusion have been obtained. Implosions of spherical deuterated-plastic shells filled with pure ³He gas require atomic-scale mixing of the shell and gas for the D-³He nuclear reaction to proceed. The time necessary for Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) growth to induce mix delays peak nuclear production time, compared to equivalent capsules filled with a D₂-³He mixture, by 75±30 ps, equal to half the nuclear burn duration. These observations indicate the likelihood of atomic mix at the tips of core-penetrating RT spikes.