Interpretation of proton radiography experiments of hohlraums with three-dimensional simulations

Proton radiography experiments of laser-irradiated hohlraums performed at the OMEGA laser facility are analyzed using three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic simulations coupled to a proton trajectography package. Experiments with three different laser irradiation patterns were performed, and each produced a distinct proton image. By comparing these results with synthetic proton images obtained by sending protons through plasma profiles in the hohlraum obtained from 3D radiation hydrodynamic simulations, it is found that the simulated images agree favorably with the experimental images when electric fields, due to the electron pressure gradients that arise from 3D structures occurring during plasma expansion, are included. These comparisons provide quantitative estimates of the electric field present inside the hohlraums.