Fast Ignition Thermonuclear Fusion: Enhancement of the Pellet Gain by the Colossal-Magnetic-Field Shells

POSTER

Abstract

The fast ignition fusion\footnote{M. Tabak, D. Clark, R. P. J. Town et. all, \textit{Features of a Point Design for Fast Ignition}, Keynote Talk, Conf. on Res. Trends in Laser Matter Interaction, (Bulletin of the Stefan University, Series B, Stefan Frontier Conferences, Vol. 22, May 2010; ISSN:1938-3967).} pellet gain\footnote{S. A. Slutz\textbf{,} M. C. Herrmann, R. A. Vesey, et. all., Phys. Plasmas, 1\textbf{7}, 056303 (2010)]} can be enhanced by a laser generated B-field shell. The B-field shell, (similar to Earth's B-field, but with the alternating B-poles), follows the pellet compression in a frozen-in B-field regime. A properly designed laser-pellet coupling \footnote{V. Alexander Stefan, Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Vol. 55, No.15, (2010); Stefan, Laser Thermonuclear Fusion: Research Review, [Vol. 1, (1963-1983); Vol.2, (1984-2008)], on Generation of Suprathermal Particles, Laser Radiation Harmonics, and Quasistationary B-Fields; Stefan-U Graduate Courses, ISSN: 1543-558X, (2008).} can lead to the generation of a B-field shell, (up to 100 MG), which inhibits electron thermal transport and confines the alpha-particles. In principle, a pellet gain of few-100s can be achieved in this manner.

Authors

  • V. Alexander Stefan

    Institute for Advanced Physics Studies, Stefan University, La Jolla, CA 92038-1007