Simulations of ignition-scale fast ignition targets have been performed with the new integrated Zuma-Hydra PIC-hydrodynamic capability. We consider an idealized spherical DT fuel assembly with a carbon cone, and an artificially-collimated fast electron source. We study the role of E and B fields and the fast electron energy spectrum. For mono-energetic 1.5 MeV fast electrons, without E and B fields, the energy needed for ignition is E_f^{ig} = 30 kJ. This is about 3.5x the minimal deposited ignition energy of 8.7 kJ for our fuel density of 450 g/cm^3. Including E and B fields with the resistive Ohm's law E = ηJ_b gives E_f^{ig} = 20 kJ, while using the full Ohm's law gives E_f^{ig} > 40 kJ. This is due to magnetic self-guiding in the former case, and \nabla n \times \nabla T magnetic fields in the latter. Using a realistic, quasi two-temperature energy spectrum derived from PIC laser-plasma simulations increases E_f^{ig} to (102, 81, 162) kJ for (no E/B, E = ηJ_b, full Ohm's law). This stems from the electrons being too energetic to fully stop in the optimal hot spot depth.
It was reported that the fuel core was heated up to ~ 0.8 [keV] in the fast ignition experimentswith cone-guided targets, but they could not theoretically explain heating mechanisms and achievement of such high temperature. Thus simulations should play an important role in estimating the schemeperformance, and we must simulate each phenomenon with individual codes and integrate them under the Fast Ignition Integrated Interconnecting code project. In the previous integrated simulations, fast electronsgenerated by the laser-plasma interaction were too hot to efficiently heat the core and we got …
Optimization of Laser Irradiation Uniformity for the Double-Cone Ignition Scheme with MULTI-3D simulations
School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University（上海交通大学物理与天文学院）；Zhiyuan College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University（上海交通大学致远学院）；State Key Laboratory of Dark Matter Physics, Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MOE), Shanghai Jiao Tong University（上海交通大学暗物质物理国家重点实验室、激光等离子体教育部重点实验室）；E.T.S.I. Aeronautica y del Espacio, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid（马德里理工大学航空航天工程学院）
Transport modeling of idealized, cone-guided fast ignition targets indicates the severe challenge posed by fast-electron source divergence. The hybrid particle-in-cell [PIC] code Zuma is run in tandem with the radiation-hydrodynamics code Hydra to model fast-electron propagation, fuel heating, and thermonuclear burn. The fast electron source is based on a 3D explicit-PIC laser-plasma simulation with the PSC code. This shows a quasi two-temperature energy spectrum, and a divergent angle spectrum (average velocity-space polar angle of 52 degrees). Transport simulations with the PIC-based diverge…
Ion beam requirements for fast ignition are investigated by numerical simulation taking into account new effects such as ion beam divergence not included before. We assume that ions are generated by the TNSA scheme in a curved foil placed inside a re-entrant cone and focused on the cone apex or beyond. From the focusing point to the compressed core ions propagate with a given divergence angle. Ignition energies are obtained for two compressed fuel configurations heated by proton and carbon ion beams. The dependence of the ignition energies on the beam divergence angle and on the position of th…
We present hybrid PIC simulations of fast electron transport and energy deposition in pre-compressed fusion targets, taking full account of collective magnetic effects and the hydrodynamic response of the background plasma. Results on actual ignition of an imploded fast ignition configuration are shown accounting for the increased beam divergence found in recent experiments [J.S. Green et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 015003 (2008)] and the reduction of the electron kinetic energy due to profile steepening predicted by advanced PIC simulations [B. Chrisman et al. Phys. Plasmas 15, 056309 (2008)].…
Fast Ignition Inertial Confinement Fusion is a variant of inertial fusion in which DT fuel is first compressed to high density and then ignited by a relativistic electron beam generated by a fast (< 20 ps) ultra-intense laser pulse, which is usually brought in to the dense plasma via the inclusion of a re-entrant cone. The transport of this beam from the cone apex into the dense fuel is a critical part of this scheme, as it can strongly influence the overall energetics. Here we review progress in the theory and numerical simulation of fast electron transport in the context of Fast Ignition. Im…
To enhance the core heating efficiency in fast ignition laser fusion, the concept of relativistic electron beam guiding by external magnetic fields was evaluated by integrated simulations for FIREX class targets. For the cone-attached shell target case, the core heating performance is deteriorated by applying magnetic fields since the core is considerably deformed and the most of the fast electrons are reflected due to the magnetic mirror formed through the implosion. On the other hand, in the case of cone-attached solid ball target, the implosion is more stable under the kilo-tesla-class magn…
In this paper, a six-cylinder-port hohlraum is proposed to provide high symmetry flux on capsule. It is designed to ignite a capsule with 1.2 mm radius in indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) . Flux symmetry and laser energy are calculated by using three dimensional view factor method and laser energy balance in hohlraums. Plasma conditions are analyzed based on the two dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. There is no Ylm (l<=4) asymmetry in the six-cylinder-port hohlraum when the influences of laser entrance holes (LEHs) and laser spots cancel each other out with suitab…
The effects of an imposed, axial magnetic field $B_{z0}$ on hydrodynamics and energetic electrons in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) indirect-drive hohlraums are studied. We present simulations from the radiation-hydrodynamics code HYDRA of a low-adiabat ignition design for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), with and without $B_{z0}=70$ Tesla. The field's main hydrodynamic effect is to significantly reduce electron thermal conduction perpendicular to the field. This results in hotter and less dense plasma on the equator between the capsule and hohlraum wall. The inner laser beams experien…
Recent experiments on the National Ignition Facility [D.E. Hinkel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 225002 (2016)] demonstrates that utilizing a long, large case-to-capsule ratio (=3) conventional cylindrical hohlraum at moderate gas-fill density (=0.6 mg/cm3 4He) improves the drive symmetry controaums has a little chance to achieve ignition at an acceptable energy level due to its small margin for the laser cone propagation. In this letter, a noncylindrical hohlraum, called as peanut hohlraum, using a larger case-to-capsule (=3.46) at lower gas-fill density (=0.3 mg/cm3 4He) is proposed to ignite…
Stimulated Raman backscatter (SRS) is used as a remote sensor to quantify the instantaneous laser power after transfer from outer to inner cones that cross in a National Ignition Facility (NIF) gas-filled hohlraum plasma. By matching SRS between a shot reducing outer vs a shot reducing inner power we infer that ~half of the incident outer-cone power is transferred to inner cones, for the specific time and wavelength configuration studied. This is the first instantaneous non-disruptive measure of power transfer in an indirect drive NIF experiment using optical measurements.
We propose a semi-analytical modeling of smoothed laser beams deviation induced by plasma flows. Based on a Gaussian description of speckles, the model includes spatial, temporal and polarization smoothing techniques,through fits issued from hydrodynamic simulations with a paraxial description of electromagnetic waves. This beam bending model is then included in a ray tracing algorithm, and carefully validated. When applied as a post-process to the propagation of the inner cone in a full-scale simulation of a NIF experiment,the beam bending along the path of the laser affects the refraction co…
Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities performance preservation is crucial, from vertical test to accelerator operation. Field Emission (FE) is still one of the performance limiting factors to overcome and plasma cleaning has been proven successful by the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), in cleaning field emitters and increasing the work function of Nb. A collaboration has been established between Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) with the purpose of applying plasma processing to the Linac Coheren…
Surface acceleration of fast electrons in intense laser-plasma interaction is improved by using sub-wavelength grating targets. The fast electron beam emitted along the target surface was enhanced by more than three times relative to that by using planar target. The total number of the fast electrons ejected from the front side of target was also increased by about one time. The method to enhance the surface acceleration of fast electron is effective for various targets with sub-wavelength structured surface, and can be applied widely in the cone-guided fast ignition, energetic ion acceleratio…
Weakly ionised plasmas, formed in high enthalpy hypersonic flows, can be actively manipulated via imposed magnetic fields - a concept termed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control. Imposed MHD effects, within flows which exhibit multiple shock interactions, are consequential for emerging aerospace technologies: including aerodynamic control via magnetic actuation. However, numerical modelling of this flow type remains challenging due to the sensitivity of feature formation and the real gas modelling of weakly ionised, electrically conductive, air plasma. In this work, numerical simulation capa…
