Abstract:
The xRAGE radiation-hydrodynamics code is a state-of-the art simulation tool for modeling inertial confinement fusion experiments. xRAGE is one of only three radiation-hydrodynamics codes developed in the U.S. with sufficient physics to credibly model both capsule implosions as well as the high-Z cylindrical hohlraums used to convert laser energy into an X-ray drive for the capsule. xRAGE solves the equations for hydrodynamics and other physics in an Eulerian reference frame and features adaptive mesh refinement, which makes it uniquely well-suited to accurately modeling capsule defects and engineering features that are important factors limiting capsule performance. In the first half of this talk, we will discuss the physics modeling capabilities and algorithms available in xRAGE with an emphasis on those relevant to high-energy-density physics and inertial confinement fusion. In the second half of the talk, we will discuss the successful application of xRAGE to provide pre-shot predictions for seventeen high-yield capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility. This will include the modeling methodology, how we establish prediction uncertainties, and how we have learned from prediction failures to improve the methodology. Our predictions have exhibited a 67% success rate thus far, which is much higher than other pre-shot predictions over the same set of experiments.

Bio:
Brian M. Haines is a Senior Distinguished Scientist in the Eulerian Codes group in the X-Computational Physics division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is currently the lead for the Ignition Applications project, which includes the THOR and BrassOwl experimental campaigns on the National Ignition Facility. Brian leads the effort to produce LANL xRAGE pre-shot predictions and post-shot analysis of high-yield implosion attempts on the National Ignition Facility. Brian led the decadal effort to develop the xRAGE radiation-hydrodynamics code into a state-of-the-art tool for modeling inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high-energy density physics experiments and has pioneered the use of xRAGE to perform large-scale high-resolution full-physics three-dimensional simulations of ICF implosions to understand the impacts of hydrodynamic instabilities and engineering features. Prior to his current position, Brian was a Metropolis postdoc in the Methods & Algorithms group from 2011-2013 and did various internships as a student with Argonne National Laboratory, LANL, the National Security Agency, and the Institute for Defense Analyses’ Center for Communications Research. Brian received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Penn State University in 2011 and a B.A. in mathematics and physics from New York University in 2006. Brian has co-authored 100 peer-reviewed publications that have received over 3,400 citations and has been awarded a Secretary’s Honor Award from DOE, four distinguished performance awards from LANL, five defense program awards of excellence from NNSA, an ICF program award from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and a Director’s Science and Technology Award from LLNL.