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Fundamental factors affecting thermonuclear ignition

Journal Article · · Nuclear Fusion
Recent inertial confinement fusion experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have improved performance and interpretability. These results help us address hydrodynamic efficiency, pusher adiabat, tamping, and hot-spot confinement as they pertain to criteria for ignition. Here, we present requirements for propagating burn that are stringent compared to existing literature. The effects of the pusher adiabat on the energy partition for the cold and hot DT are addressed, as well as the persistent discrepancy between the observed and simulated neutron down scattering ratio. The required energy for achieving ignition on NIF and paths forward to optimize or increase the capsule yields for given laser energy are also discussed.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1888219
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 23131904
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-21-23111
Journal Information:
Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 61; ISSN 0029-5515
Publisher:
IOP ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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