arXiv subjects

Nathan Meezan

Publications and source records attributed to Nathan Meezan.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Development of Anisotropic Magnetized Viscosity for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion Simulations in FLASH

Magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) operates in a regime where anisotropic transport phenomena fundamentally influence implosion dynamics. In strongly magnetized plasmas, the viscous stress tensor becomes highly anisotropic, yet no prior work has incorporated or examined magnetized viscosity effects in MagLIF configurations. We present the first implementation of the full Braginskii magnetized viscosity tensor for arbitrary magnetic field orientations in the Pacific Fusion branch of FLASH. The implementation is verified through analytical comparisons, direct verification against Braginskii's original formulation, Method of Manufactured Solutions, and against analytical shock solutions. Application to MagLIF-relevant configurations reveals that magnetized viscosity damps vortical structures, converts kinetic energy in those vortical structures into thermal energy, and mitigates the Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. Simulations with seeded perturbations demonstrate yield preservation when magnetized viscosity is included. These results establish magnetized viscosity as a non-negligible physical mechanism in MagLIF plasmas and provide a validated capability for predictive modeling of magnetized high-energy-density plasmas.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Affordable, manageable, practical, and scalable (AMPS) high-yield and high-gain inertial fusion

High-yield inertial fusion offers a transformative path to affordable clean firm power and advanced defense capabilities. Recent milestones at large facilities, particularly the National Ignition Facility (NIF), have demonstrated the feasibility of ignition but highlight the need for approaches that can deliver large amounts of energy to fusion targets at much higher efficiency and lower cost. We propose that pulser-driven inertial fusion energy (IFE), which uses high-current pulsed-power technology to compress targets to thermonuclear conditions, can achieve this goal. In this paper, we detail the physics basis for pulser IFE, focusing on magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF), where cylindrical metal liners compress DT fuel under strong magnetic fields and pre-heat. We discuss how the low implosion velocities, direct-drive efficiency, and scalable pulser architecture can achieve ignition-level conditions at low capital cost. Our multi-dimensional simulations, benchmarked against experiments at the Z facility, show that scaling from 20 MA to 50-60 MA of current enables net facility gain. We then introduce our Demonstration System (DS), a pulsed-power driver designed to deliver more than 60 MA and store approximately 80 MJ of energy. The DS is designed to achieve a 1000x increase in effective performance compared to the NIF, delivering approximately 100x greater facility-level energy gain -- and importantly, achieving net facility gain, or Qf>1 -- at just 1/10 the capital cost. We also examine the engineering requirements for repetitive operation, target fabrication, and chamber maintenance, highlighting a practical roadmap to commercial power plants.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Opportunities in Pulsed Magnetic Fusion Energy

Fusion is a potentially transformational energy technology, which promises limitless clean energy. Yet, it requires continued scientific and technological development to realize its potential. The conditions necessary for fusion energy gain in terms of the product of plasma pressure $P$ and confinement time $\tau$ have been known for many decades. An underappreciated fact is that pulsed magnetic fusion has demonstrated $P \tau$ performance on par with laser-driven ICF and tokamaks despite receiving only a small fraction of investment relative to those concepts. In light of this demonstrated performance, well-established scaling relations, and opportunities for further innovations, here we advocate for pulsed magnetic fusion as the most attractive path towards commercialization of fusion energy.

physics.plasm-ph↗