Radiochemical diagnostic methods at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) include the Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) apparatus, which collects gases produced during ignition.  RAGS is used to determine NIF capsule areal density and ablator-fuel mix.  Roughly 1015 atoms are added to the inner-most layers of the capsule.  These elements undergo nuclear activation and following a shot, the activated gases are pumped out of the chamber and transported to the RAGS apparatus.  Isotopic ratios are correlated to the fraction of downscattered neutrons that originated from the NIF capsule.  For the first experiments, 124Xe is doped in the first 6 microns of the ablator.  The ratio of the neutron capture product (125Xe) to the (n,2n) activation product (123Xe) provides diagnostic information related to the areal density of the capsule.  In a beryllium capsule, 127I is co-doped with 124Xe; (d,2n) reactions on the iodine form 127Xe, which is an indicator of mix.

Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) apparatus for nuclear diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility

244th National Meeting (2012)

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