Numerical analysis of spherically convergent Rayleigh-Taylor experiments on the Nova laser

In the frame of a CEA/US DOE collaboration, convergent experiments have been done on the Nova laser. Numerical simulations with our 2D Lagrangian code FCI2 led the analysis and correctly reproduced the experimental data. From single mode 2D perturbations, ablation front Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth is computed. Moderate and high convergence ratios are addressed. The shrinking of the wavelength plays a prominent role for small convergence ratio and weakly nonlinear hydrodynamics