Simulation of laser-plasma interactions and fast-electron transport in inhomogeneous plasma

Journal Article · Sun Jun 20 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of Computational Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2010.03.001· OSTI ID:21333915

Kemp, A J; Divol, L ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551 (United States)

A new framework is introduced for kinetic simulation of laser-plasma interactions in an inhomogeneous plasma motivated by the goal of performing integrated kinetic simulations of fast-ignition laser fusion. The algorithm addresses the propagation and absorption of an intense electromagnetic wave in an ionized plasma leading to the generation and transport of an energetic electron component. The energetic electrons propagate farther into the plasma to much higher densities where Coulomb collisions become important. The high-density plasma supports an energetic electron current, return currents, self-consistent electric fields associated with maintaining quasi-neutrality, and self-consistent magnetic fields due to the currents. Collisions of the electrons and ions are calculated accurately to track the energetic electrons and model their interactions with the background plasma. Up to a density well above critical density, where the laser electromagnetic field is evanescent, Maxwell's equations are solved with a conventional particle-based, finite-difference scheme. In the higher-density plasma, Maxwell's equations are solved using an Ohm's law neglecting the inertia of the background electrons with the option of omitting the displacement current in Ampere's law. Particle equations of motion with binary collisions are solved for all electrons and ions throughout the system using weighted particles to resolve the density gradient efficiently. The algorithm is analyzed and demonstrated in simulation examples. The simulation scheme introduced here achieves significantly improved efficiencies.

• OSTI ID: 21333915
• Journal Information: Journal of Computational Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Computational Physics Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 229; ISSN JCTPAH; ISSN 0021-9991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
ALGORITHMS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
MOMENT OF INERTIA
OHM LAW
PLASMA DENSITY
SIMULATION
TAIL ELECTRONS
TRANSPORT THEORY