| Presentation: | submitted: | by: |
|---|---|---|
| icc2007_07_ghm_blockignition.pdf | 2007-04-02 15:17:04 | George Miley |
Accelerated Plasma Blocks Driven by Petawatt-Picosecond Laser Pulses for Igniting Near Solid Density DT
Author: George H Miley
Requested Type: Poster Only
Submitted: 2006-12-18 13:54:04
Co-authors: Heinrich Hora
Contact Info:
U of Illinois
103 S. Goodwin Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
Abstract Text:
Thirty years ago it seemed to be impossible to ignite solid deuterium-tritium by pulsed laser irradiation. Likewise, irradiation by ion beams had current densities that were orders of magnitude too low. This changed as improved drivers and targets were designed. However, very high compressions are still invisioned. However, recently a method that avoids high compression was proposed based on an anomalous effect observed using PW-ps laser pulses [1]. Both experiments and theory have concluded that suppression of prepulses by a factor 10*8 would avoid relativistic self-focusing, allowing broad area compression. It is found that this can give directed 80-keV DT ion current densities in space- charge neutral plasma blocks of modest temperature. These blocks reach values above 10*11 Amps/cm2, energy flux densities of 10*8 J/cm2, and have the necessary block thickness for producing a fusion flame in the nearly uncompressed or solid DT target. Conditions for the energy flux are further relaxed by considering interpenetration effects, the quantum modification of collisions, collective reduction of stopping power and double layer mechanisms. Like ignition of low compression DT by very intense 5-MeV electron beams [2], the plasma block ignition with 10 kJ laser pulses may produce 100 MJs of fusion energy and may lead to simplified and low cost energy production since the difficult DT compression to many times the solid state is avoided.
[1] H. Hora, J. Badziak, G.H. Miley et al. Journal der Physique IV 133, 219 (2006); H. Hora, Laser and Particle Beams 22, 439 (2004); 23, 441 (2005).
[2] J.L. Nuckolls, and L. Wood, Future of Inertial Fusion Energy, LLNL Preprint UCRL-JC-149860, Sept. 2002 (available to the public http://www.ntis.gov/); J.L. Nuckolls, and L. Woods, Proceedings International Conference on Nuclear Energy Systems ICNES Albuquerque, NM. 2002, edited by T.A.Mehlhorn (Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM) p.171.
Characterization: B1,B5
Comments:
