Integrated kinetic simulation of laser-plasma interactions, fast-electron generation, and transport in fast ignition

Journal Article · Sat May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3312825· OSTI ID:21371212

Kemp, A J; Cohen, B I; Divol, L ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)

We present new results on the physics of short-pulse laser-matter interaction of kilojoule-picosecond pulses at full spatial and temporal scale using a new approach that combines a three-dimensional collisional electromagnetic particle-in-cell code with a magnetohydrodynamic-hybrid model of high-density plasma. In the latter, collisions damp out plasma waves, and an Ohm's law with electron inertia effects neglected determines the electric field. In addition to yielding orders of magnitude in speed-up while avoiding numerical instabilities, this allows us to model the whole problem in a single unified framework: the laser-plasma interaction at subcritical densities, energy deposition at relativistic critical densities, and fast- electron transport in solid densities. Key questions such as the multipicosecond temporal evolution of the laser energy conversion into hot electrons, the impact of return currents on the laser-plasma interaction, and the effect of self-generated electric and magnetic fields on electron transport will be addressed. We will report applications to current experiments.

• OSTI ID: 21371212
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 17, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3312825; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
ELECTRONS
ENERGY CONVERSION
IGNITION
INTERACTIONS
LASERS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
CONVERSION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LEPTONS
MECHANICS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SIMULATION