Favorable Collisional Demixing of Ash and Fuel in Magnetized Inertial Fusion

Magnetized inertial fusion experiments are approaching regimes where the radial transport is dominated by collisions between magnetized ions, providing an opportunity to exploit effects usually associated with steady-state magnetic fusion. In particular, the low-density hotspot characteristic of magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) results in diamagnetic and thermal frictions which can demix thermalized ash from fuel, accelerating the fusion reaction. A simple diffusion model shows that increases in the fusion energy yield on the order of 5-10% are in fact possible. Our results could also be relevant for magnetic target fusion. Effects due to pressure anisotropy may also be discussed.