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Title: Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions

Abstract

Separating ignition of the central hot spot from propagating burn in the surrounding dense fuel is crucial to conclusively assess the achievement of ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). We show that the transition from hot spot ignition to the onset of propagating burn occurs when the alpha heating within the hot spot has amplified the fusion yield by 15 to 25x with respect to the compression-only case without alpha energy deposition. This yield amplification corresponds to a value of the fractional alpha energy ƒα ≈ 1:4 (ƒα = 0.5 alpha energy/hot spot energy). The parameter fα can be inferred in ICF experiments by measuring the neutron yield, hot spot size, temperature, and burn width. This ignition threshold is measurable and applicable to all ICF implosions of DT-layered targets both direct and indirect drive. The results of this paper can be used to set the goals of the ICF effort with respect to the first demonstration of thermonuclear ignition.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States). Lab. for Laser Energetics
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1498067
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1496497
Report Number(s):
2018-220, 1469
Journal ID: ISSN 2470-0045; PLEEE8; 2018-220, 1469, 2428
Grant/Contract Number:  
NA0003856
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Physical Review E
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 99; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 2470-0045
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Citation Formats

Christopherson, A. R., Betti, R., and Lindl, J. D. Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201.
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Christopherson, A. R., Betti, R., & Lindl, J. D. Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201
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Christopherson, A. R., Betti, R., and Lindl, J. D. Mon . "Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1498067.
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@article{osti_1498067,
title = {Thermonuclear ignition and the onset of propagating burn in inertial fusion implosions},
author = {Christopherson, A. R. and Betti, R. and Lindl, J. D.},
abstractNote = {Separating ignition of the central hot spot from propagating burn in the surrounding dense fuel is crucial to conclusively assess the achievement of ignition in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). We show that the transition from hot spot ignition to the onset of propagating burn occurs when the alpha heating within the hot spot has amplified the fusion yield by 15 to 25x with respect to the compression-only case without alpha energy deposition. This yield amplification corresponds to a value of the fractional alpha energy ƒα ≈ 1:4 (ƒα = 0.5 alpha energy/hot spot energy). The parameter fα can be inferred in ICF experiments by measuring the neutron yield, hot spot size, temperature, and burn width. This ignition threshold is measurable and applicable to all ICF implosions of DT-layered targets both direct and indirect drive. The results of this paper can be used to set the goals of the ICF effort with respect to the first demonstration of thermonuclear ignition.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201},
journal = {Physical Review E},
number = 2,
volume = 99,
place = {United States},
year = {2019},
month = {2}
}
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https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.021201
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Works referenced in this record:

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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    On alpha-particle transport in inertial fusion
    journal, June 2019

    • Zylstra, A. B.; Hurricane, O. A.
    • Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 26, Issue 6
    • DOI: 10.1063/1.5101074
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