Axial convergent Z-pinch driven dynamic hohlraums

Summary form only given, as follows. Axial convergence during the implosion of an initially cylindrical Z-pinch plasma increases the radiation temperature produced within a dynamic hohlraum. Quasi-spherical Z-pinch implosions have been demonstrated with thick liners initially in a spherical shape. However, wire arrays have been demonstrated to be superior to liners for generating radiation. We shall present numerical simulations demonstrating two methods of obtaining axial convergence with Z-pinch driven wire arrays. Our simulations show that appropriate profiling of the mass per unit length of the wires can result in an almost spherical shaped to the wire array plasma just before stagnation. Simulations also show that proper mass profiling and shaping of material surrounding the fusion capsule can result in a nearly spherical dynamic hohlraum. Comparisons between cylindrical and axially convergent dynamic hohlraum conditions will be presented.