A numerical model is presented in order to modelize the bright ring that appears in backlit optical shadowgraphy on a transparent hollow sphere with a solid deuterium-tritium layer inside. This novel model is based on computational calculations applied to the problem of the targets used in inertial confinement fusion.

The model takes into account the influences of the optical imaging system (numerical aperture, source divergence, camera resolution, etc.) and the effect of the capsule itself, diameter, thickness, and refractive index, and allows one to analyze the inner surface of a capsule in terms of thickness and roughness.