Novel Capsule Fill Tube Assemblies for the Hydrodynamic Growth Radiography Targets

Capsule fill tube assemblies (CFTAs) consist of an ablator capsule and fill tube via a laser-drilled funnel hole. This hole tapers from 17-μm diameter at the outer surface of the ablator capsule to less than 5-μm diameter on the inside of the capsule over approximately 200 μm of wall thickness. Demand for better understanding of the fill tube perturbation during the capsule implosion has driven advancements in the fill tube design. Engineering efforts have been made on hydrodynamic growth radiography assemblies (HGRs) using multiple tube-design variations, including alternative angles, depths, sizes, and location with engineered defects to showcase fill tube effects during an implosion. Testing has shown that these CFTAs and HGRs have survived all fabrication and transport to and from General Atomics (GA) to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. These assemblies have also passed cryogenic testing at GA. An overview of alternative CFTA designs, fabrication methods, and developments is presented.