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Title: Stopping of relativistic electrons in a partially degenerate electron fluid

Journal Article · · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
;  [1]
  1. LPGP - UMR-CNRS 8578, Batiment 210, Universite Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex (France)

The stopping mechanisms of relativistic electron beams in superdense and partially degenerate electron fluid targets are investigated in the framework of the fast ignitor concept for inertial confinement fusion. In order to comply with specific demands in this area, we focus attention on the target partial degeneracy parameter {theta}=T{sub e}/T{sub f}, in terms of the thermal to Fermi temperature ratio. The target electron fluid is thus modeled very accurately with a random phase approximation dielectric function. The stopping results are shown to be very weakly {theta} dependent. However, a quantum target description is needed to recover their correct increasing trend with increasing projectile energy. The ranges and effective penetration depths in precompressed thermonuclear fuels are shown to be nearly a factor of 2 shorter than earlier classical estimates in the same conditions. The overall conclusions pertaining to the feasibility of fast ignition thus remain unchanged.

OSTI ID:
20641327
Journal Information:
Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 71, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.71.026407; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-651X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English