Limitation on Pre-pulse Level for Cone-Guided Fast-Ignition ICF
The viability of fast-ignition (FI) inertial confinement fusion hinges on the efficient transfer of laser energy to the compressed fuel via multi-MeV electrons. Pre-formed plasma due to laser pre-pulse strongly influences ultra-intense laser plasma interactions and hot electron generation in the hollow cone of an FI target. We induced a prepulse and consequent preplasma in copper cone targets and measured the energy deposition zone of the main pulse by imaging the emitted K{sub {alpha}} radiation. An integrated simulation of radiation hydrodynamics for the pre-plasma and particle in cell for the main pulse interactions agree well with the measured deposition zones and provide an insight into the enrgy deposition mechanism and electron distribution. It was demonstrated that a under these conditions a 100mJ pre-pulse completely eliminates the forward going component of {approx}2-4MeV electrons. Consequences for cone-guided fast-ignition are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 985486
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-416502; PRLTAO; TRN: US1006152
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 5; ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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