Title: Minimizing scatter-losses during pre-heat for magneto-inertial fusion targets

Abstract

The size, temporal and spatial shape, and energy content of a laser pulse for the pre-heat phase of magneto-inertial fusion affect the ability to penetrate the window of the laser-entrance-hole and to heat the fuel behind it. High laser intensities and dense targets are subject to laser-plasma-instabilities (LPI), which can lead to an effective loss of pre-heat energy or to pronounced heating of areas that should stay unexposed. While this problem has been the subject of many studies over the last decades, the investigated parameters were typically geared towards traditional laser driven Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) with densities either at 10% and above or at 1% and below the laser's critical density, electron temperatures of 3–5 keV, and laser powers near (or in excess of) 1 × 1015 W/cm2. In contrast, Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010) and Slutz and Vesey, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 025003 (2012)] currently operates at 5% of the laser's critical density using much thicker windows (1.5–3.5 μm) than the sub-micron thick windows of traditional ICF hohlraum targets. This article describes the Pecos target area at Sandia National Laboratories using the Z-Beamlet Laser Facility [Rambo et al., Appl. Opt. 44(12), 2421 (2005)] asmore » a platform to study laser induced pre-heat for magneto-inertial fusion targets, and the related progress for Sandia's MagLIF program. Forward and backward scattered light were measured and minimized at larger spatial scales with lower densities, temperatures, and powers compared to LPI studies available in literature.« less

Authors:

Geissel, Matthias  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-6207-7615"

Harvey-Thompson, Adam J. ^[1]; Awe, Thomas J. ^[1]; Bliss, David E. ^[1]; Glinsky, Michael E. ^[1]; Gomez, Matthew R. ^[1]; Harding, Eric ^[1]; Hansen, Stephanie B. ^[1]; Jennings, Christopher ^[1]; Kimmel, Mark W. ^[1]; Knapp, Patrick  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Knapp, Patrick"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-3009-8673"

Lewis, Sean M. ^[1]; Peterson, Kyle  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Peterson, Kyle"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-6202-4292"

Schollmeier, Marius  ^[1];

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• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-0683-022X"

Schwarz, Jens ^[1]; Shores, Jonathon E. ^[1]; Slutz, Stephen A. ^[1]; Sinars, Daniel B. ^[1]; Smith, Ian C. ^[1]; Speas, C. Shane ^[1] more »; Vesey, Roger A. ^[1]; Weis, Matthew R.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Weis, Matthew R."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-0061-5323"

Porter, John L. ^[1] « less

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Publication Date:

Wed Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2018

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)

OSTI Identifier:

1459929

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1422024

Report Number(s):

SAND-2018-6872J
Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X; 664963; TRN: US1901826

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Physics of Plasmas

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 25; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 1070-664X

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY