Studies on the robustness of shock-ignited laser fusion targets

Shock ignition, SI, is a promising approach to inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Like fast ignition, it separates the stages of compression and ignition, but does not require ultraintense lasers, and may allow for relatively simple spherical targets. Recently, it has been shown that the HiPER baseline target, originally conceived for fast ignition, can be shock-ignited and that shock ignition could be tested at full scale on the National Ignition Facility (NIF). We therefore deem the study of the robustness of SI targets worthy and timely. Here, we present results of a numerical study concerning both the compression phase and ignition and gain. Simulations were performed with the lagrangian code DUED, using either its 1D version or the full 2D version. The whole target evolution was studied with the complete code physical model, including multigroup radiation diffusion, alpha-particle diffusion, 2D laser raytracing. A parametric scan of the compression phase (requiring more than 10000 simulations) was instead performed with a simpler model, assuming radial laser propagation, and neglecting radiative transfer.