Three-dimensional fast electron transport for ignition-scale inertial fusion capsules

Abstract

Three-dimensional hybrid PIC simulations are presented to study electron energy transport and deposition in a full-scale fast ignition configuration. Multi-prong core heating close to ignition is found when a few GA, few PW beam is injected. Resistive beam filamentation in the corona seeds the 3D current pattern that penetrates the core. Ohmic heating is important in the low-density corona, while classical Coulomb deposition heats the core. Here highest energy densities (few Tbar at 10 keV) are observed at densities above 200 g/cc. Energy coupling to the core ranges from 20 to 30%; it is enhanced by beam collimation and decreases when raising the beam particle energy from 1.5 to 5.5 MeV.

5 pages, 5 figures

References in corpus (1)

• Characterization of the initial filamentation of a relativistic electron beam passing through a plasma

Cited by in corpus (10)

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• Particle-in-cell modelling of relativistic laser-plasma interaction with the adjustable damping, direct implicit method
• Measuring fast electron spectra and laser absorption in relativistic laser-solid interactions using differential bremsstrahlung photon detectors
• Extreme matter compression caused by radiation cooling effect in gigabar shock wave driven by laser-accelerated fast electrons
• Unstable spectrum of a relativistic electron beam interacting with a quantum collisional plasma: application to the Fast Ignition Scenario
• Three dimensional filamentary structures of a relativistic electron beam in Fast Ignition plasmas