Quick Shot

The next-generation neutron temporal diagnostic (cryoNTD) will be used for high-yield cryogenic DT experiments beginning in February. The design of this instrument is based on the current neutron temporal diagnostic (NTD). The picture shows the installation of the cryoNTD nose cone assembly into the target chamber. The light from the scintillator inside the nose cone assembly is relayed approximately 16 m (52.5 ft) to a ROSS streak camera located in the OMEGA EP plenum area. The location in the plenum improves the neutron shielding of the camera by a factor of 100 relative to the current NTD. The resulting higher signal-to-background will reduce the error associated with determining the temporal width of the neutron production in the cryogenic implosions. The burn width is used to infer the pressure achieved in the DT fuel (peak pressures are approaching 50 billion atmospheres), a key performance metric in assessing the quality of an implosion.