LPI Risk Estimates for Planned Xcimer Facilities Using 1D and 2D Radiation-Hydrodynamic Simulations of Planar Targets

It is widely known that laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) present a significant risk for inertial confinement fusion. LPI present the possibility for poor coupling between laser energy and the target, as well as the potential to damage laser optics. With these difficulties in mind, Xcimer is planning a 100-kJ class laser facility to retire risks for their future engineering-breakeven facility [C. Thomas et al. Phys. Plasmas 31, 112708 (2024)]. Hence, we conducted initial simulations and LPI estimates to assess the potential for LPI at the 100-kJ facility. To do this, radiation hydrodynamics simulations were done to estimate plasma conditions using 1D HELIOS and 2D FLASH. The gains for stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering (SRS and SBS) as well as two plasmon decay (TPD) from steady-state, linear theory are presented. Additionally, the potential scaling of LPI from the 100-kJ facility to the 4-MJ breakeven facility is discussed.