arXiv subjects

D. J. Strozzi

Publications and source records attributed to D. J. Strozzi.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Cone-Guided Fast Ignition with no Imposed Magnetic Fields

Simulations of ignition-scale fast ignition targets have been performed with the new integrated Zuma-Hydra PIC-hydrodynamic capability. We consider an idealized spherical DT fuel assembly with a carbon cone, and an artificially-collimated fast electron source. We study the role of E and B fields and the fast electron energy spectrum. For mono-energetic 1.5 MeV fast electrons, without E and B fields, the energy needed for ignition is E_f^{ig} = 30 kJ. This is about 3.5x the minimal deposited ignition energy of 8.7 kJ for our fuel density of 450 g/cm^3. Including E and B fields with the resistive Ohm's law E = ηJ_b gives E_f^{ig} = 20 kJ, while using the full Ohm's law gives E_f^{ig} > 40 kJ. This is due to magnetic self-guiding in the former case, and \nabla n \times \nabla T magnetic fields in the latter. Using a realistic, quasi two-temperature energy spectrum derived from PIC laser-plasma simulations increases E_f^{ig} to (102, 81, 162) kJ for (no E/B, E = ηJ_b, full Ohm's law). This stems from the electrons being too energetic to fully stop in the optimal hot spot depth.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2012

Fast-ignition design transport studies: realistic electron source, integrated PIC-hydrodynamics, imposed magnetic fields

Transport modeling of idealized, cone-guided fast ignition targets indicates the severe challenge posed by fast-electron source divergence. The hybrid particle-in-cell [PIC] code Zuma is run in tandem with the radiation-hydrodynamics code Hydra to model fast-electron propagation, fuel heating, and thermonuclear burn. The fast electron source is based on a 3D explicit-PIC laser-plasma simulation with the PSC code. This shows a quasi two-temperature energy spectrum, and a divergent angle spectrum (average velocity-space polar angle of 52 degrees). Transport simulations with the PIC-based divergence do not ignite for > 1 MJ of fast-electron energy, for a modest 70 micron standoff distance from fast-electron injection to the dense fuel. However, artificially collimating the source gives an ignition energy of 132 kJ. To mitigate the divergence, we consider imposed axial magnetic fields. Uniform fields ~50 MG are sufficient to recover the artificially collimated ignition energy. Experiments at the Omega laser facility have generated fields of this magnitude by imploding a capsule in seed fields of 50-100 kG. Such imploded fields are however more compressed in the transport region than in the laser absorption region. When fast electrons encounter increasing field strength, magnetic mirroring can reflect a substantial fraction of them and reduce coupling to the fuel. A hollow magnetic pipe, which peaks at a finite radius, is presented as one field configuration which circumvents mirroring.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2008

Ray-based calculations of backscatter in laser fusion targets

A 1D, steady-state model for Brillouin and Raman backscatter from an inhomogeneous plasma is presented. The daughter plasma waves are treated in the strong damping limit, and have amplitudes given by the (linear) kinetic response to the ponderomotive drive. Pump depletion, inverse-bremsstrahlung damping, bremsstrahlung emission, Thomson scattering off density fluctuations, and whole-beam focusing are included. The numerical code DEPLETE, which implements this model, is described. The model is compared with traditional linear gain calculations, as well as "plane-wave" simulations with the paraxial propagation code pF3D. Comparisons with Brillouin-scattering experiments at the OMEGA Laser Facility [T. R. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, p. 495 (1997)] show that laser speckles greatly enhance the reflectivity over the DEPLETE results. An approximate upper bound on this enhancement, motivated by phase conjugation, is given by doubling the DEPLETE coupling coefficient. Analysis with DEPLETE of an ignition design for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [J. A. Paisner, E. M. Campbell, and W. J. Hogan, Fusion Technol. 26, p. 755 (1994)], with a peak radiation temperature of 285 eV, shows encouragingly low reflectivity. Re-absorption of Raman light is seen to be significant in this design.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2005

Vlasov Simulations of Trapping and Inhomogeneity in Raman Scattering

We study stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in laser-fusion conditions with the Eulerian Vlasov code ELVIS. Back SRS from homogeneous plasmas occurs in sub-picosecond bursts and far exceeds linear theory. Forward SRS and re-scatter of back SRS are also observed. The plasma wave frequency downshifts from the linear dispersion curve, and the electron distribution shows flattening. This is consistent with trapping and reduces the Landau damping. There is some acoustic ($ω\propto k$) activity and possibly electron acoustic scatter. Kinetic ions do not affect SRS for early times but suppress it later on. SRS from inhomogeneous plasmas exhibits a kinetic enhancement for long density scale lengths. More scattering results when the pump propagates to higher as opposed to lower density.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2003

Coherent Acceleration of Magnetized Ions by Electrostatic Waves with Arbitrary Wavenumbers

This paper studies the coherent acceleration of ions interacting with two electrostatic waves in a uniform magnetic field B0. This is a generalization of an earlier analysis of waves propagating perpendicularly to B0 to include the effect of wavenumbers along B0. The Lie transformation technique is used to develop a perturbation theory describing the ion motion, and results are compared with numerical solutions of the complete equations of motion. Coherent energization occurs when the Doppler-shifted wave frequencies differ by nearly an integer multiple of the ion cyclotron frequency. When the difference in the parallel wavenumbers of the two waves is increased the coherent energization of ions is limited to a small part of the phase space. The energization of ions and its dependence on wave parameters is discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗