We present new experiments to study the formation of radiative shocks and the interaction between two counterpropagating radiative shocks. The experiments are performed at the Orion laser facility, which is used to drive shocks in xenon inside large aspect ratio gas cells. The collision between the two shocks and their respective radiative precursors, combined with the formation of inherently three-dimensional shocks, provides a novel platform particularly suited for the benchmarking of numerical codes. The dynamics of the shocks before and after the collision are investigated using point-projection x-ray backlighting while, simultaneously, the electron density in the radiative precursor was measured via optical laser interferometry. Modeling of the experiments using the 2D radiation hydrodynamic codes nym and petra shows very good agreement with the experimental results.

Abstract. The target supply system is a necessary requirement for fueling a future energy source (reactor) with a high rep-rate: 0.1-10 Hz. At the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI), significant progress has been made in the technology based on rapid fuel layering inside moving free-standing targets that is referred to as FST (Free-Standing Targets) layering method. This allows creating a continuously or repeatable operating FST supply system, the development of which at LPI dates back to 1980s. Therefore, the LPI is in the position to propose the use of FST technologies for HiPER facility operation (conceptual design and prototype realization). Here we report on our most significant results on the development of a specialized layering module prototype for repeatable formation of HiPER free-standing cryogenic targets.

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