scholarly journals Collisionless shock acceleration in the corona of an inertial confinement fusion pellet with possible application to ion fast ignition

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200039 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Boella ◽  
R. Bingham ◽  
R. A. Cairns ◽  
P. Norreys ◽  
R. Trines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Critical Density ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Collisionless Shock ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are used to explore collisionless shock acceleration in the corona plasma surrounding the compressed core of an inertial confinement fusion pellet. We show that an intense laser pulse interacting with the long scale-length plasma corona is able to launch a collisionless shock around the critical density. The nonlinear wave travels up-ramp through the plasma reflecting and accelerating the background ions. Our results suggest that protons with characteristics suitable for ion fast ignition may be achieved in this way. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

scholarly journals Generation of pre-formed plasma and its reduction for fast-ignition

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Sunahara ◽  
Tomoyuki Johzaki ◽  
Hideo Nagatomo ◽  
Kunioki Mima
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Critical Density ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Plasma Expansion ◽  
Hydrodynamic Simulations ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Cone Target

AbstractWe investigated generation of pre-formed plasma on plates and inside cone targets due to a pre-pulse before the arrival of the main ultra-intense laser pulse in the fast-ignition scheme of the inertial confinement fusion. We estimated the pre-pulse level to be 130 mJ for LFEX laser used in the 2009 FIREX experiment, and the density gradient scale length of the pre-formed plasma inside the cone target to be 27–47 microns between the critical and 1/10 of the critical density, based on the two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic simulations. In order to reduce the generation of pre-formed plasma, we investigated a thin CH foil pre-pulse absorber, and proposed using a cone target with a pointed tip. We simulated CH plasma expansion to show that the CH foils works as a pre-pulse absorber. We also show the aluminum pointed tip of the cone target can delay the shock arrival time by 20 ps, much longer than the delay for the 10 micron thickness gold tip used in the typical implosion of GXII at Osaka University.

scholarly journals Whole-beam self-focusing in fusion-relevant plasma

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200159 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Spiers ◽  
M. P. Hill ◽  
C. Brown ◽  
L. Ceurvorst ◽  
N. Ratan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Fast Ignition ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Proton Radiography ◽  
Self Focusing

Fast ignition inertial confinement fusion requires the production of a low-density channel in plasma with density scale-lengths of several hundred microns. The channel assists in the propagation of an ultra-intense laser pulse used to generate fast electrons which form a hot spot on the side of pre-compressed fusion fuel. We present a systematic characterization of an expanding laser-produced plasma using optical interferometry, benchmarked against three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. Magnetic fields associated with channel formation are probed using proton radiography, and compared to magnetic field structures generated in full-scale particle-in-cell simulations. We present observations of long-lived, straight channels produced by the Habara–Kodama–Tanaka whole-beam self-focusing mechanism, overcoming a critical barrier on the path to realizing fast ignition. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

scholarly journals Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy: an introduction to the first special edition

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2184) ◽  
pp. 20200006 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Norreys ◽  
C. Ridgers ◽  
K. Lancaster ◽  
M. Koepke ◽  
G. Tynan
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Inertial Fusion ◽  
Inertial Fusion Energy ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Energy Part ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Basic Studies

A European consortium of 15 laboratories across nine nations have worked together under the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants for the past decade with three principle objectives. These are: (a) investigating obstacles to ignition on megaJoule-class laser facilities; (b) investigating novel alternative approaches to ignition, including basic studies for fast ignition (both electron and ion-driven), auxiliary heating, shock ignition etc.; and (c) developing technologies that will be required in the future for a fusion reactor. The Hooke discussion meeting in March 2020 provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in inertial confinement fusion research world-wide to date. This first edition of two special issues seeks to identify paths forward to achieve high fusion energy gain. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)’.

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.

scholarly journals Modelling burning thermonuclear plasma

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2184) ◽  
pp. 20200014 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Rose ◽  
P. W. Hatfield ◽  
R. H. H. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Electrodynamics ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Energy Part ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Big Bang

Considerable progress towards the achievement of thermonuclear burn using inertial confinement fusion has been achieved at the National Ignition Facility in the USA in the last few years. Other drivers, such as the Z-machine at Sandia, are also making progress towards this goal. A burning thermonuclear plasma would provide a unique and extreme plasma environment; in this paper we discuss (a) different theoretical challenges involved in modelling burning plasmas not currently considered, (b) the use of novel machine learning-based methods that might help large facilities reach ignition, and (c) the connections that a burning plasma might have to fundamental physics, including quantum electrodynamics studies, and the replication and exploration of conditions that last occurred in the first few minutes after the Big Bang. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)’.

scholarly journals Double-cone ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2184) ◽  
pp. 20200015 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Zhang ◽  
W. M. Wang ◽  
X. H. Yang ◽  
D. Wu ◽  
Y. Y. Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Laser Pulses ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Double Cone ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fast Heating ◽  
Isentropic Compression ◽  
Confinement Fusion

While major progress has been made in the research of inertial confinement fusion, significant challenges remain in the pursuit of ignition. To tackle the challenges, we propose a double-cone ignition (DCI) scheme, in which two head-on gold cones are used to confine deuterium–tritium (DT) shells imploded by high-power laser pulses. The scheme is composed of four progressive controllable processes: quasi-isentropic compression, acceleration, head-on collision and fast heating of the compressed fuel. The quasi-isentropic compression is performed inside two head-on cones. At the later stage of the compression, the DT shells in the cones are accelerated to forward velocities of hundreds of km s –1 . The head-on collision of the compressed and accelerated fuels from the cone tips transfer the forward kinetic energy to the thermal energy of the colliding fuel with an increased density. The preheated high-density fuel can keep its status for a period of approximately 200 ps. Within this period, MeV electrons generated by ps heating laser pulses, guided by a ns laser-produced strong magnetic field further heat the fuel efficiently. Our simulations show that the implosion inside the head-on cones can greatly mitigate the energy requirement for compression; the collision can preheat the compressed fuel of approximately 300 g cm −3 to a temperature above keV. The fuel can then reach an ignition temperature of greater than 5 keV with magnetically assisted heating of MeV electrons generated by the heating laser pulses. Experimental campaigns to demonstrate the scheme have already begun. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)’.

scholarly journals Inertial confinement fusion: a defence context

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2184) ◽  
pp. 20200012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Randewich ◽  
Rob Lock ◽  
Warren Garbett ◽  
Dominic Bethencourt-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
The Uk

Almost 30 years since the last UK nuclear test, it remains necessary regularly to underwrite the safety and effectiveness of the National Nuclear Deterrent. To do so has been possible to date because of the development of continually improving science and engineering tools running on ever more powerful high-performance computing platforms, underpinned by cutting-edge experimental facilities. While some of these facilities, such as the Orion laser, are based in the UK, others are accessed by international collaboration. This is most notably with the USA via capabilities such as the National Ignition Facility, but also with France where a joint hydrodynamics facility is nearing completion following establishment of a Treaty in 2010. Despite the remarkable capability of the science and engineering tools, there is an increasing requirement for experiments as materials age and systems inevitably evolve further from what was specifically trialled at underground nuclear tests (UGTs). The data from UGTs will remain the best possible representation of the extreme conditions generated in a nuclear explosion, but it is essential to supplement these data by realizing new capabilities that will bring us closer to achieving laboratory simulations of these conditions. For high-energy-density physics, the most promising technique for generating temperatures and densities of interest is inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Continued research in ICF by the UK will support the certification of the deterrent for decades to come; hence the UK works closely with the international community to develop ICF science. UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Owned Copyright 2020/AWE. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)'.

scholarly journals Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy: an introduction to the second edition

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200028
Author(s):  
Peter A. Norreys ◽  
Christopher Ridgers ◽  
Kate Lancaster ◽  
Mark Koepke ◽  
George Tynan
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Inertial Fusion ◽  
Inertial Fusion Energy ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Fusion Research ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Part II of this special edition contains the remaining 11 papers arising from a Hooke discussion meeting held in March 2020 devoted to exploring the current status of inertial confinement fusion research worldwide and its application to electrical power generation in the future, via the development of an international inertial fusion energy programme. It builds upon increased coordination within Europe over the past decade by researchers supported by the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants, as well as collaborations that have arisen naturally with some of America's and Asia's leading researchers, both in the universities and national laboratories. The articles are devoted to informing an update to the European roadmap for an inertial fusion energy demonstration reactor, building upon the commonalities between the magnetic and inertial fusion communities’ approaches to fusion energy. A number of studies devoted to understanding the physics barriers to ignition on current facilities are then presented. The special issue concludes with four state-of-the-art articles describing recent significant advances in fast ignition inertial fusion research. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

scholarly journals The inadequacy of a magnetohydrodynamic approach to the Biermann battery

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200017 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Ridgers ◽  
C. Arran ◽  
J. J. Bissell ◽  
R. J. Kingham
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Electron Distribution ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Electron Distribution Function ◽  
High Gain ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Laser Plasma Interaction ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
Biermann Battery

Magnetic fields can be generated in plasmas by the Biermann battery when the electric field produced by the electron pressure gradient has a curl. The commonly employed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of the Biermann battery breaks down when the electron distribution function is distorted away from Maxwellian. Using both MHD and kinetic simulations of a laser-plasma interaction relevant to inertial confinement fusion we have shown that this distortion can reduce the Biermann-producing electric field by around 50%. More importantly, the use of a flux limiter in an MHD treatment to deal with the effect of the non-Maxwellian electron distribution on electron thermal transport leads to a completely unphysical prediction of the Biermann-producing electric field and so results in erroneous predictions for the generated magnetic field. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

Recent progress in quantifying hydrodynamics instabilities and turbulence in inertial confinement fusion and high-energy-density experiments

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Casner
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Energy Part ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Since the seminal paper of Nuckolls triggering the quest of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) with lasers, hydrodynamic instabilities have been recognized as one of the principal hurdles towards ignition. This remains true nowadays for both main approaches (indirect drive and direct drive), despite the advent of MJ scale lasers with tremendous technological capabilities. From a fundamental science perspective, these gigantic laser facilities enable also the possibility to create dense plasma flows evolving towards turbulence, being magnetized or not. We review the state of the art of nonlinear hydrodynamics and turbulent experiments, simulations and theory in ICF and high-energy-density plasmas and draw perspectives towards in-depth understanding and control of these fascinating phenomena. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

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