Development of Radiation and Atomic Physics Modeling to Support High-Fidelity Simulation of HEDLP Experiments

The interplay between accurate modeling and well-diagnosed experiments plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of high energy density laboratory plasmas (HEDLPs). It is vital to have high-fidelity computational physics tools that have well-tested radiation physics modeling, and that are readily accessible to researchers in the HEDLP community. There are significant challenges, however, associated with accurately computing the radiative properties of multi-dimensional plasmas which is required for making comparisons between simulations and experimental measurements because of the complex atomic processes involved. In this project, radiation and atomic physics modeling will be developed that will support the analysis and interpretation of experimental data obtained in HEDLP experiments. The models will support and facilitate large-scale, multi-dimensional simulations of plasma radiative properties and direct comparisons with data obtained in HEDLP experiments. The tools will be tested and validated by applying them to several diverse classes of HEDLP experiments. This project will result in computational tools capable of simulating in detail the radiative and atomic processes in high energy density laboratory plasmas. With user-friendly features and the ability to provide for direct comparisons between simulation and experimental measurements, the simulation tools will be well-suited for use in university research projects, government laboratory applications, and industrial research and development. In addition to supporting investigations of HEDLPs, the software developed under this project will be applicable to: inertial fusion energy research, plasma radiation sources used in defense research, magnetic fusion energy plasma diagnostics, and radiation sources developed for commercial and medical physics research and instrumentation