The impact of low-mode symmetry on inertial fusion energy output in the burning plasma state
Authors: Ralph Joseph , Ross James , Zylstra Alex , Kritcher Andrea , Robey Harry , Young Christopher , Hurricane Omar , Callahan Debra , Pak Arthur , Casey Daniel , Doppner Tilo , Divol Laurent , Hohenberger Matthias , Pape Sebatien Le , Baker Kevin , Patel Prav , Tommasini Riccardo , Ali Suzanne , Amendt Peter , Atherton Jeff , Bachmann Benjamin , Bailey Dave , Benedetti Laura Robin , Hopkins Laura Berzak , Betti Riccardo , Bhandarkar Suhas , Bionta Richard , Birge Noah , Bond Essex , bradley David , Braun Tom , Briggs Travis , Bruhn Matt , Celliers Peter , Chang Britton , Chapman Thomas , Chen Hui , Choate Chris , Christopherson Alison , Clark Dan , Crippen Jay , Dewald Eduard , Dittrich Thomas , Edwards M. John , Farmer Will , Field John , Fittinghoff David , Frenje Johan , Gaffney Jim , Johnson Maria Gatu , Glenzer Siegfried , Grim Gary , Haan Steven , Hahn Kelly , Hall Gareth , Hammel Bruce , Harte Judy , Hartouni Edward , Heebner John , Hernandez Vincent , Herrmann Hans , Herrmann Mark , Hinkel Denise , Ho Darwin , Holder Joe , Hsing Warren , Huang Haibo , Humbird Kelli , Izumi Nobuhiko , Jarrott Charlie , Jeet Justin , Jones Oggie , Kerbel Gary , Kerr Shaun , Khan Shahab , Kilkenny Joseph , Kim Yong Ho , Kleinrath Hermann Geppert , Geppert-Kleinrath Verena , Kong Casey , Koning Joseph , Kroll Jeremy , Landen Otto , Langer Steven , Larson Doug , Lemos Nuno , Lindl John , Ma Tammy , MacDonald Michael , MacGowan Brian , Mackinnon Adnrew , MacLaren Stephan , MacPhee Andrew , Marinak Marty , Mariscal Derek , Marley Ed , Masse L , Meaney Kevin , Meezan Nathan , Michel Pierre , Millot Marius , Milovich Jose , Moody John , Moore Alastair , Morton John , Murphy Thomas , Newman Katya , Nicola JM Di , Nikroo Abbas , Nora Ryan , Patel Mehul , Pelz Larence , Peterson Jayson , Ping Yuan , Pollock Bradley , Ratledge Mark , Rice Neal , Rinderknecht Hans , Rosen Mordecai , Rubery Michael , Salmonson Jay , Sater Jim , Schiaffino Stefano , Schlossberg David , Schneider Marilyn , Schroeder Chris , Scott Howard , Sepke Scott , Sequoia K , Sherlock Mark , Shin Swanee , Smalyuk Vladimir , Spears Brian , Springer Paul , Stadermann Michael , Stoupin Stanislav , Strozzi David , Suter Larry , Thomas Clif , Town Richard , Tubman Eleanor , Volegov Petr , Weber Christopher , Widmann Klaus , Wild Christoph , Wilde Carl , Wonterghem B. Van , Woods Douglas , Woodworth Brandon , Yamaguchi M , Yang Steven , Zimmerman George , Biener Juergen , Trosseille Clement , Kruse Michael , Kustowski Bogdan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Indirect Drive Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have achieved a burning plasma state with neutron yields exceeding 170 kJ1, 2 , roughly 3 times the prior record and a necessary stage for igniting plasmas. The results are achieved despite multiple sources of degradations that lead to high variability in performance. Results shown here, for the first time, include an empirical correction factor for mode-2 asymmetry in the burning plasma regime in addition to previously deter- mined corrections for radiative mix and mode-1. Analysis shows that including these three corrections alone accounts for the measured fusion performance variability in the two highest performing experimental campaigns on the NIF to within error. In this work we quantify the performance sensitivity to mode-2 symmetry in the burning plasma regime and apply the results, in the form of an em-pirical correction to a 1D performance model. Furthermore, we find the sensitivity to mode-2 determined through a series of integrated 2D radiation hydrodynamic simulations to be consistent with the experimentally determined sensitivity only when including alpha-heating.