Symmetry experiments on Omega with LMJ-like multiple beam cone irradiation

We carried out a set of experiments on the Omega laser facility at Rochester with Laser MegaJoule like indirect drive irradiation. We studied the irradiation non-uniformity with the foam ball radiography technique and the implosion symmetry with (D2 + Argon) filed capsules core emission. Cylindrical 'Nova scale 1' thin wall hohlraums were used. Forty of the Omega beams, arranged in three cones on each side of the hohlraum were used to create the x-ray drive. Eight additional beams were used on a Ti source to radiograph the foam balls. The shaped laser pulse was about 3 ns duration. The radiation drive was measured on each shot. The images were recorded with a 5 micrometers resolution Gated X-ray Imager coupled to a CCD camera.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.