Gain curves for direct-drive fast ignition at densities around 300 g/cc

Journal Article · Wed Oct 25 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2359720· OSTI ID:893956

Betti, R ^[1]; Solodov, A A; Delettrez, J A; Zhou, C

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

The maximum gain attainable from fast-ignited direct-drive implosions is derived based on realistic target designs and laser pulses, one-dimensional simulations of the implosion, and two-dimensional simulations of ignition by a collimated electron beam and burn propagation. Since the implosion characteristics are set by the optimized target design, the ratio of the thermonuclear energy to the compression laser energy is a unique function of the driver energy on target. It is shown that, if ignited, the fuel assembled by a 100-kJ UV laser can yield close to 6 MJ of thermonuclear energy.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC52-92SF19460
• OSTI ID: 893956
• Report Number(s): DOE/SF/19460-704; 1666; 2006-24
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Vol. 13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English