Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

Inertial Confinement Fusion Ignition and High Yield (ICF) Campaign
The SNL ICF activities support the High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) program primarily through
experiments at the SNL Z pulsed power facility. The Z will conduct stockpile stewardship experiments
in (Dynamic Materials Properties, Secondary Assessment Technologies, and Nuclear Survivability
subprograms and Directed Stockpile Work), pulsed-power-ICF and x-ray-source-development
experiments, as its primary mission. A small part of the Z agenda will also be devoted to a combination
of basic science, z-pinch physics, power flow, and inertial fusion energy experiments.
This ICF Campaign develops, maintains, and operates the entire x-ray particle and laser-based
diagnostics required for a full experimental capability at Z. Diagnostic activity also includes
development, maintenance, and operation of diagnostics associated with the Z-Beamlet back lighter
facility (that is coupled to the Z pulsed-power facility). The SNL ICF program also develops, maintains,
and operates multi-dimensional simulation codes and supports the staff that design, perform, and
analyze the experiments (including load and target hardware). Research on Z and Z-Beamlet is
performed in cooperation and collaboration with other national laboratories including the Defense
Threat Reduction Agency laboratories, universities, and the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Campaign
In FY 2012, SNL ASC activities will focus on the following:
• simulation tools that support annual assessments, LEPs, and Significant Finding Investigations
(SFIs),
• mission priorities of the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP), including the continuing
improvement of productivity and certification methodologies (e.g., Quantification of Margins and
Uncertainties, or QMU), and
• opportunities to leverage ASC technology in support of other national nuclear security mission needs
including secure transportation and emerging threats.
Foundational elements of the SNL ASC program include development of the toolset needed to quantify
the uncertainty in the predictions of the NNSA weapons codes – including the effective use of
supercomputing and forward looking cost-effective architectures, and application of new methodologies
for demonstrating credibility of simulation results.
Readiness Campaign
SNL supports the following Readiness Campaign subprograms.
• Nonnuclear Readiness: Provides the electrical, electronic, and mechanical capabilities required to
weaponize a nuclear explosive. This activity deploys the product development and production
capabilities required to support nonnuclear product requirements. Nonnuclear functions range from
weapon command and control to examining performance during deployment simulations, including
weapon structural features, neutron generators, tritium reservoirs, detonators and component testers.
Sandia National Laboratories Page 524
FY 2012 Congressional Budget