Hydrophase and Sub-Critical Experiments

We probe physics at extreme conditions involved in integrated experiments at the Nevada TestSite U1A Cygnus Flash X-Ray Radiographic Facility and Large Bore Powder Gun Facility. Recently the Thermos Sub-Critical Experiment measured damage in plutonium through the use of real-time radiography and post-shot analysis of samples. Holography and shadowgraphy are used to quantify ejecta using a high powered doubled Nd:YAG laser (1 GW). New integral experiments diagnostics are developed such as the DFG method of detecting solid-solid phase transitions through the use of phonon modes of metals by difference frequency generation (DFG).

The Team also develops neutron imagers for the National Ignition Facility, having recently aligned and imaged a nine-hole pinhole array at the Omega Laser in New York, and developed a new compound aperture for the NIF that includes both pinhole and coded apertures within a single assembly which will improve imaging capability to meet the demanding S/N and resolution requirements.