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Predicting hot electron generation in inertial confinement fusion with particle-in-cell simulations

ORAL

Abstract

The success of inertial confinement fusion requires a comprehensive understanding of laser plasma interactions and the resulting hot electrons generation. We performed a series of 2D Particle-In-Cell simulations with speckled laser drivers to study hot-electron generation in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion on OMEGA. Scaling laws were obtained for hot electron fraction and temperature as functions of laser/plasma conditions in the quarter-critical region. Using these scalings and conditions from hydro simulations, the temporal history of hot electron generation can be predicted. After taking potential inaccuracies in hydro and PIC simulations into account, our prediction agreed with the experimental hard X-ray data within experimental error bars for a collection of OMEGA warm target implosions.

These scalings can readily be implemented into ICF design codes and we expect that new ignition-relevant regimes can be predicted with the same approach.

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Presenters

  • Shihui Cao

    University of Rochester

Authors

  • Shihui Cao

    University of Rochester

  • Dhrumir Patel

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Aarne Lees

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Varchas Gopalaswamy

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics - Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Christian Stoeckl

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Michael J Rosenberg

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Han Wen

    University of Rochester

  • Hu Huang

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Alexander Shvydky

    Lab for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Riccardo Betti

    University of Rochester, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Chuang Ren

    University of Rochester