X-ray spectroscopic measurements of high densities and temperatures from indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion capsules

Time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy is used to study the implosion of indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion capsules on the Nova laser. Through the use of Ar dopant in the fuel, measurements of the peak temperature, from emission line ratios, and density, from line broadening, are obtained. These measurements indicate peak electron temperatures of ∼1–1.6 keV and electron and deuteron densities in the range of (1.0–2.0)×${10}^{24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-}3}$, depending on the type of laser drive used. These ion densities, which approach those of stellar interiors, are the highest inferred by direct analysis of Stark-braodened line profiles.