Full-scale PIC simulations of fast ignition

ORAL

Abstract

Fast ignition modeling presents a grand challenging due to the different spatial and temporal scales. Following the work on a optimized hybrid algorithm for modeling inhomogeneous plasmas by B. Cohen et al. [JCP 229, 4591 (2010)], an hybrid algorithm was implemented in OSIRIS [F. Fiuza et al., PPCF 53, 074004 (2011)], allowing for the self-consistent modeling of all the relevant physics at different scales, and leading to a dramatic change in the computational resources required to model fast ignition. We will present results from the first multi-dimensional full-scale integrated simulations of fast ignition. Realistic compressed target profiles obtained from hydrodynamic simulations were used to study key questions such as the multipicosecond evolution of laser absorption and beam divergence, the fast electron transport, and its energy deposition in a fully self-consistent manner. Control of electron divergence, capable of providing laser to core energy efficiencies consistent with ignition conditions, will be shown either by changing the laser profile or by using external collimating structures.

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Authors

  • Luis Silva

    Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa Portugal, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, GoLP/IPFN - LA - Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/IPFN - LA Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusao Nuclear - Laboratorio Associado, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fus\~ao Nuclear - Laborat\'orio Associado, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, Lisboa, Portugal, GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, Lisboa, Portugal, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fus\~ao Nuclear, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, Lisboa, Insituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa Portugal

  • F. Fiuza

    GoLP/IPFN - LA - Instituto Superior Tecnico, Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fus\~ao Nuclear, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, Lisboa

  • Michael Marti

    GoLP/IPFN - LA - Instituto Superior Tecnico

  • Ricardo Fonseca

    GoLP/IPFN - LA - Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisboa, Portugal, Instituto Superior Tecnico, DCTI/ISCTE, GoLP/IPFN - LA Instituto Superior Tecnico, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusao Nuclear - Laboratorio Associado, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fus\~ao Nuclear - Laborat\'orio Associado, Instituto Superior T\'ecnico, Lisboa, Portugal; DCTI, ISCTE - Lisbon University, DCTI, ISCTE, Lisbon University Institute, Lisbon, Portugal

  • John Tonge

    UCLA, Department of Physics \& Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • J. May

    UCLA

  • Warren Mori

    University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles