Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions

Christopherson, A. R.; Betti, R.; Lindl, J. D.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201

Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions

Journal Article · Sun Feb 24 23:00:00 EST 2019 · Physical Review E

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201· OSTI ID:1498067

Christopherson, A. R. ^[1]; Betti, R. ^[2]; Lindl, J. D. ^[3]

Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States); Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Separating ignition of the central hot spot from propagating burn in the surrounding dense fuel is crucial to conclusively assess the achievement of ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). We show that the transition from hot spot ignition to the onset of propagating burn occurs when the alpha heating within the hot spot has amplified the fusion yield by 15 to 25x with respect to the compression-only case without alpha energy deposition. This yield amplification corresponds to a value of the fractional alpha energy ƒ_α ≈ 1:4 (ƒ_α = 0.5 alpha energy/hot spot energy). The parameter fα can be inferred in ICF experiments by measuring the neutron yield, hot spot size, temperature, and burn width. This ignition threshold is measurable and applicable to all ICF implosions of DT-layered targets both direct and indirect drive. The results of this paper can be used to set the goals of the ICF effort with respect to the first demonstration of thermonuclear ignition.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003856

OSTI ID:: 1498067

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1496497

Report Number(s):: 2018-220, 1469; 2018-220, 1469, 2428

Journal Information:: Physical Review E, Journal Name: Physical Review E Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 99; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 2470-0045

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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