A study of REB target irradiation, deposition, and implosion

We have irradiated flat targets, spheres, and hemispheres with intense REB (~ 10
¹¹
w/cm
²
) from the Hydra machine to study target loading, ablation, and implosion. A wide variety of experimental techniques were used in these studies including x-ray pinhole photography, laser holography, laser velocimetry, and flash x-radiography. The energy absorption mechanism was found to be consistent with classical electron deposition. Variations in target loading and implosion symmetry have been observed and, in particular, symmetry of loading can be altered by changing the cathode geometry and anode-cathode spacing.