scholarly journals Observation of a high degree of stopping for laser-accelerated intense proton beams in dense ionized matter

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieru Ren ◽  
Zhigang Deng ◽  
Wei Qi ◽  
Benzheng Chen ◽  
Bubo Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Dense Matter ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Proton Beams

Abstract Intense particle beams generated from the interaction of ultrahigh intensity lasers with sample foils provide options in radiography, high-yield neutron sources, high-energy-density-matter generation, and ion fast ignition. An accurate understanding of beam transportation behavior in dense matter is crucial for all these applications. Here we report the experimental evidence on one order of magnitude enhancement of intense laser-accelerated proton beam stopping in dense ionized matter, in comparison with the current-widely used models describing individual ion stopping in matter. Supported by particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we attribute the enhancement to the strong decelerating electric field approaching 1 GV/m that can be created by the beam-driven return current. This collective effect plays the dominant role in the stopping of laser-accelerated intense proton beams in dense ionized matter. This finding is essential for the optimum design of ion driven fast ignition and inertial confinement fusion.

Temperature relaxation in strongly-coupled binary ionic mixtures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sprenkle ◽  
Luciano Silvestri ◽  
M. S. Murillo ◽  
Scott Bergeson
Keyword(s):  
Material Properties ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Coulomb Systems ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Relaxation Rates ◽  
Strongly Coupled ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Temperature Relaxation

Abstract New facilities such as the National Ignition Facility and the Linac Coherent Light Source have pushed the frontiers of high energy-density matter. These facilities offer unprecedented opportunities for exploring extreme states of matter, ranging from cryogenic solid-state systems to hot, dense plasmas, with applications to inertial-confinement fusion and astrophysics. However, significant gaps in our understanding of material properties in these rapidly evolving systems still persist. In particular, non-equilibrium transport properties of strongly-coupled Coulomb systems remain an open question. Here, we study ion-ion temperature relaxation in a binary mixture, exploiting a recently-developed dual-species ultracold neutral plasma. We compare measured relaxation rates with atomistic simulations and a range of popular theories. Our work validates the assumptions and capabilities of the simulations and invalidates theoretical models in this regime. This work illustrates an approach for precision determinations of detailed material properties in Coulomb mixtures across a wide range of conditions.

scholarly journals Towards ultra-intense ultra-short ion beams driven by a multi-PW laser

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 288-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Badziak ◽  
J. Domański
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Physics ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Copper Ions ◽  
Laser Pulses ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ion Beams ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Carbon Ions ◽  
Particle In Cell

AbstractThe multi-petawatt (PW) lasers currently being built in Europe as part of the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) project will be capable of generating femtosecond light pulses of ultra-relativistic intensities (~1023–1024 W/cm2) that have been unattainable so far. Such laser pulses can be used for the production of high-energy ion beams with unique features that could be applied in various fields of scientific and technological research. In this paper, the prospect of producing ultra-intense (intensity ≥1020 W/cm2) ultra-short (pico- or femtosecond) high-energy ion beams using multi-PW lasers is outlined. The results of numerical studies on the acceleration of light (carbon) ions, medium-heavy (copper) ions and super-heavy (lead) ions driven by a femtosecond laser pulse of ultra-relativistic intensity, performed with the use of a multi-dimensional (2D3 V) particle-in-cell code, are presented, and the ion acceleration mechanisms and properties of the generated ion beams are discussed. It is shown that both in the case of light ions and in the case of medium-heavy and super-heavy ions, ultra-intense femtosecond multi-GeV ion beams with a beam intensity much higher (by a factor ~102) and ion pulse durations much shorter (by a factor ~104–105) than achievable presently in conventional radio frequency-driven accelerators can be produced at laser intensities of 1023 W/cm2 predicted for the ELI lasers. Such ion beams can open the door to new areas of research in high-energy density physics, nuclear physics and inertial confinement fusion.

X‐ray spectroscopy of high‐energy density inertial confinement fusion plasmas

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 3328-3336 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Keane ◽  
B. A. Hammel ◽  
D. R. Kania ◽  
J. D. Kilkenny ◽  
R. W. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Plasmas ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Confinement Fusion

scholarly journals AWE experimental laser plasma program

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. DUNNE ◽  
J. EDWARDS ◽  
P. GRAHAM ◽  
A. EVANS ◽  
S. ROTHMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Equation Of State ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Strong Shock ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Radiation Hydrodynamics ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Wide Range

The achievement of ignition from an Inertial Confinement Fusion capsule will require a detailed understanding of a wide range of high energy density phenomena. This paper presents some recent work aimed at improving our knowledge of the strength and equation of state characteristics of low-Z materials, and outlines data which will provide quantitative benchmarks against which our predictive radiation hydrodynamics capabilities can be tested. Improvements to our understanding in these areas are required if reproducible and predictable fusion energy production is to be achieved on the next generation of laser facilities.In particular, the HELEN laser at AWE has been used to create a thermal X-ray source with 140 eV peak radiation temperature and 3% instantaneous flux uniformity to allow measurements of the Equation of State of materials at pressures up to 20 Mbar to an accuracy of <±2% in shock velocity. The same laser has been used to investigate the onset of spallation upon the release of a strong shock at a metal-vacuum boundary, with dynamic radiography used to image the spalled material in flight for the first time. Finally, a range of experiments have been performed to generate quantitative radiation hydrodynamics data on the evolution of gross target defects, driven in both planar and imploding geometry. X-ray radiography was used to record the evolving target deformation in a system where the X-ray drive and unperturbed target response were sufficiently characterized to permit meaningful analysis. The results have been compared to preshot predictions made using a wide variety of fluid codes, highlighting substantial differences between the various approaches, and indicating significant discrepancies with the experimental reality. The techniques developed to allow quantitative comparisons are allowing the causes of the discrepancies to be identified, and are guiding the development of new simulation techniques.

scholarly journals High energy electron radiography scheme with high spatial and temporal resolution in three dimension based on a e-LINAC

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhao ◽  
Z. Zhang ◽  
W. Gai ◽  
Y. Du ◽  
S. Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Beam ◽  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Three Dimension ◽  
Scattered Electron ◽  
Electron Linear Accelerator ◽  
Confinement Fusion

AbstractWe present a scheme of electron beam radiography to dynamically diagnose the high energy density (HED) matter in three orthogonal directions simultaneously based on electron Linear Accelerator. The dynamic target information such as, its profile and density could be obtained through imaging the scattered electron beam passing through the target. Using an electron bunch train with flexible time structure, a very high temporal evolution could be achieved. In this proposed scheme, it is possible to obtain 1010 frames/second in one experimental event, and the temporal resolution can go up to 1 ps, spatial resolution to 1 µm. Successful demonstration of this concept will have a major impact for both future inertial confinement fusion science and HED physics research.

scholarly journals Generation of shock waves in dense plasmas by high-intensity laser pulses

Nukleonika ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Pasley ◽  
I. A. Bush ◽  
Alexander P. L. Robinson ◽  
P. P. Rajeev ◽  
S. Mondal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shock Waves ◽  
Laser Plasma ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Laser Pulses ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Abstract When intense short-pulse laser beams (I > 1022 W/m2, τ < 20 ps) interact with high density plasmas, strong shock waves are launched. These shock waves may be generated by a range of processes, and the relative significance of the various mechanisms driving the formation of these shock waves is not well understood. It is challenging to obtain experimental data on shock waves near the focus of such intense laser–plasma interactions. The hydrodynamics of such interactions is, however, of great importance to fast ignition based inertial confinement fusion schemes as it places limits upon the time available for depositing energy in the compressed fuel, and thereby directly affects the laser requirements. In this manuscript we present the results of magnetohydrodynamic simulations showing the formation of shock waves under such conditions, driven by the j × B force and the thermal pressure gradient (where j is the current density and B the magnetic field strength). The time it takes for shock waves to form is evaluated over a wide range of material and current densities. It is shown that the formation of intense relativistic electron current driven shock waves and other related hydrodynamic phenomena may be expected over time scales of relevance to intense laser–plasma experiments and the fast ignition approach to inertial confinement fusion. A newly emerging technique for studying such interactions is also discussed. This approach is based upon Doppler spectroscopy and offers promise for investigating early time shock wave hydrodynamics launched by intense laser pulses.

Deuteron Beam Driven Fast Ignition

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Yang ◽  
George H. Miley ◽  
Kirk A. Flippo ◽  
Henrich Hora
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Cluster Structure ◽  
Deuteron Beam ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
Proton Flux ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Laser Generation

Fast Ignition is recognized as the most promising approach to achieving the high energy gain target performance needed for commercial inertial confinement fusion (ICF). However, there are great difficulties related to the traditional approach of generating a relativistic electron beam and then focusing it on the hot “spark” region (hot spot) of the compressed target. One promising alternate approach that has been proposed by researchers at LLNL and LANL is the laser generation of a proton beam in an “interaction foil” to ignite the target. However, the total proton flux supplied from hydrogen adsorbed on the foil surface is too small to generate the desired proton flux threshold. In more recent studies it has been found that ions heavier than protons would provide better focusing on the hot spot if ways to efficiently generate them can be found. Here we propose to utilize a new “Deuterium Cluster ”type structure as the laser interaction foil to generate an energetic deuteron beam as the fast igniter. The ultra high density deuterium in the cluster structure promises much higher total flux for deuterons than for traditional protons. Also, deuterons will serve very important dual purposes — the deuteron deposition in the target hot spot will not only provide heating but also fuse with fuel as they slow down in the target. The resulting fusion alphas serve to provide added heating, reducing the input requirement. If the physics works as anticipated, this novel type of interaction foil can efficiently generate energetic deuterons during intense laser pulses. The massive yield of deuterons generated from our cluster material through laser acceleration, should turn out to be the most efficient way of FI of the DT fuel, and making the dream of near-term commercialization of FI fusion more achievable.

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