We analyze an experiment performed at the Nova laser facility, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in which x rays, produced by a gold burn-through foil, heated an 1800-Å boron nitride (BN) foil. The BN foil was not hydrodynamically tamped and therefore provides an excellent example for testing our success at modeling systems with large density and temperature gradients. A time-integrated absorption spectrum was obtained. This spectrum reveals He-like and H-like boron features, He-like nitrogen features, as well as Li-like satellites to the resonance lines for both boron and nitrogen. The altair radiation hydrodynamics code and the total line-shape code were the basic instruments used in the analysis. Simulations address the temporal evolution of the temperature and density profiles, as well as the ionization balance for the x-ray driven boron nitride foil. A synthesized spectrum is compared with the experimental absorption spectrum, and particular attention is given to the Li-like satellite structure. The analysis of this seemingly simple experiment clearly reveals both current strengths and inadequacies in modeling hot dense matter. (c) 1995 The American Physical Society

• Received 18 July 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.52.6736