Assessment of dynamic-screw-pinch-driven, current-scaled MagLIF target implosion performance using 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations

Shipley, Gabriel Alan; Yager-Elorriaga, D. A.; Ruiz, D. E.; Jennings, C. A.; Weis, M. R.; Lewis, W. E.

doi:10.1063/5.0294226

Assessment of dynamic-screw-pinch-driven, current-scaled MagLIF target implosion performance using 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations

Journal Article · Fri Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0294226· OSTI ID:2999977

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Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Analytic studies and two-dimensional “clean” radiation-magnetohydrodynamic (rad-MHD) simulations employing dynamical similarity driver-target scaling prescriptions [Ruiz et al., Phys. Plasmas 30, 032708 (2023)] suggest that Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) target implosions can scale to > 10 MJ DT fusion yields when peak drive current is increased beyond 60 MA. We present results from three-dimensional (3D) rad-MHD simulations of similarity-scaled MagLIF target implosions at peak drive currents ranging from 15 to 40 MA. Simulations in this study suggest that magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instability (MRTI) growth and feedthrough to the fuel region are more severe at higher drive current scales, which reduces the fusion yield compared to prior analytic and 2D clean simulation predictions. In contrast to standard MagLIF, simulations of current-scaled MagLIF target implosions driven by a dynamic screw pinch (DSP) demonstrate reduced MRTI feedthrough and greater fuel magnetization, resulting in improved thermonuclear performance and enhanced performance scaling with peak drive current. DSP drive enables additional scaling of the liner mass to increase liner radius but maintain implosion time, resulting in higher implosion velocities at the expense of increased susceptibility to MRTI. We present a current- and mass-scaled simulated DSP-MagLIF target implosion at the ∼ 40 MA peak current level that produces ignition scale performance, demonstrating a burn-averaged Lawson ignition parameter above unity and DT fusion yield above 1 MJ.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

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

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 2999977

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--25-28684; 10.1063/5.0294226; 1089-7674

Journal Information:: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 32; ISSN 1070-664X; ISSN 1089-7674

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Assessment of dynamic-screw-pinch-driven, current-scaled MagLIF target implosion performance using 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations

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