Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion

Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion PDF Author: Kenneth Bradford Wharton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion

Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion PDF Author: Kenneth Bradford Wharton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description


Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion

Laser-plasma Interactions Relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Research into laser-driven inertial confinement fusion is now entering a critical juncture with the construction of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Many of the remaining unanswered questions concerning NIF involve interactions between lasers and plasmas. With the eventual goal of fusion power in mind, laser-plasma interactions relevant to laser fusion schemes is an important topic in need of further research. This work experimentally addresses some potential shortcuts and pitfalls on the road to laser-driven fusion power. Current plans on NIF have 192 laser beams directed into a small cylindrical cavity which will contain the fusion fuel; to accomplish this the beams must cross in the entrance holes, and this intersection will be in the presence of outward-flowing plasma. To investigate the physics involved, interactions of crossing laser beams in flowing plasmas are investigated with experiments on the Nova laser facility at LLNL. It was found that in a flowing plasma, energy is transferred between two crossing laser beams, and this may have deleterious consequences for energy balance and ignition in NIF. Possible solutions to this problem are presented. A recently-proposed alternative to standard laser-driven fusion, the ''fast ignitor'' concept, is also experimentally addressed in this dissertation. Many of the laser-plasma interactions necessary for the success of the fast ignitor have not previously been explored at the relevant laser intensities. Specifically, the transfer of high-intensity laser energy to electrons at solid-target interfaces is addressed. 20-30% conversion efficiencies into forward-propagated electrons were measured, along with an average electron energy that varied with the type of target material. The directionality of the electrons was also measured, revealing an apparent beaming of the highest energy electrons. This work was extended to various intensities and pulse lengths and a relationship between conversion efficiency and laser intensity was deduced. This work serves to advance knowledge of laser-plasma interactions relevant to a variety of laser-driven fusion schemes, and indicates directions for future research. These results should facilitate the success of NIF and other laser-fusion facilities.

Laser Plasma Interactions 5

Laser Plasma Interactions 5 PDF Author: M. B. Hooper
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 135108240X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
This volume provides a broad overview in the increasingly important field of laser-plasma interactions. With the growth of research into fusion much international effort is being devoted to the problems of inertial confinement. This collection of lectures provides the novice researcher with the context in which current research papers can be understood. Laser Plasma Interactions 5 is one of the first publications to include recently declassified results from the United States inertial confinement fusion research program and as such is an indispensable reference for those wishing to find out about this previously inaccessible research. Presented by 14 speakers of international repute, the emphasis throughout the volume is on inertial confinement fusion. Topics also covered include plasma radiation and transport processes, diagnostic measurements, dense plasmas, high power lasers and X-ray lasers.

Investigations of Laser-plasma Interactions of Relevance to Inertial Confinement Fusion

Investigations of Laser-plasma Interactions of Relevance to Inertial Confinement Fusion PDF Author: Gianluca Sarri
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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The Physics of Inertial Fusion

The Physics of Inertial Fusion PDF Author: Stefano Atzeni
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 9780191524059
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
This book is on inertial confinement fusion, an alternative way to produce electrical power from hydrogen fuel by using powerful lasers or particle beams. It involves the compression of tiny amounts (micrograms) of fuel to thousand times solid density and pressures otherwise existing only in the centre of stars. Thanks to advances in laser technology, it is now possible to produce such extreme states of matter in the laboratory. Recent developments have boosted laser intensities again with new possibilities for laser particle accelerators, laser nuclear physics, and fast ignition of fusion targets. This is a reference book for those working on beam plasma physics, be it in the context of fundamental research or applications to fusion energy or novel ultra-bright laser sources. The book combines quite different areas of physics: beam target interaction, dense plasmas, hydrodynamic implosion and instabilities, radiative energy transfer as well as fusion reactions. Particular attention is given to simple and useful modelling, including dimensional analysis and similarity solutions. Both authors have worked in this field for more than 20 years. They want to address in particular those teaching this topic to students and all those interested in understanding the technical basis.

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets

Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309270626
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
In the fall of 2010, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Secretary for Science asked for a National Research Council (NRC) committee to investigate the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts, acknowledging that a key test of viability for this concept-ignition -could be demonstrated at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the relatively near term. The committee was asked to provide an unclassified report. However, DOE indicated that to fully assess this topic, the committee's deliberations would have to be informed by the results of some classified experiments and information, particularly in the area of ICF targets and nonproliferation. Thus, the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets ("the panel") was assembled, composed of experts able to access the needed information. The panel was charged with advising the Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems on these issues, both by internal discussion and by this unclassified report. A Panel on Fusion Target Physics ("the panel") will serve as a technical resource to the Committee on Inertial Confinement Energy Systems ("the Committee") and will prepare a report that describes the R&D challenges to providing suitable targets, on the basis of parameters established and provided to the Panel by the Committee. The Panel on Fusion Target Physics will prepare a report that will assess the current performance of fusion targets associated with various ICF concepts in order to understand: 1. The spectrum output; 2. The illumination geometry; 3. The high-gain geometry; and 4. The robustness of the target design. The panel addressed the potential impacts of the use and development of current concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons information and technology, as appropriate. The Panel examined technology options, but does not provide recommendations specific to any currently operating or proposed ICF facility.

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications PDF Author: Paul McKenna
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3319000381
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications covers the fundamental and applied aspects of high power laser-plasma physics. With an internationally renowned team of authors, the book broadens the knowledge of young researchers working in high power laser-plasma science by providing them with a thorough pedagogical grounding in the interaction of laser radiation with matter, laser-plasma accelerators, and inertial confinement fusion. The text is organised such that the theoretical foundations of the subject are discussed first, in Part I. In Part II, topics in the area of high energy density physics are covered. Parts III and IV deal with the applications to inertial confinement fusion and as a driver of particle and radiation sources, respectively. Finally, Part V describes the principle diagnostic, targetry, and computational approaches used in the field. This book is designed to give students a thorough foundation in the fundamental physics of laser-plasma interactions. It will also provide readers with knowledge of the latest research trends and elucidate future exciting challenges in laser-plasma science.

Laser-Plasma Interactions

Laser-Plasma Interactions PDF Author: Dino A. Jaroszynski
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
Presents diagnostic methods, experimental techniques, and simulation tools used to study and model laser-plasma interactions. This book discusses the basic theory of the interaction of intense electromagnetic radiation fields with matter.

Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena

Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena PDF Author: Helmut J. Schwarz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461573351
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 913

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Book Description
The 7th International Workshop in the series LASER INTERACTION AND RELATED PLASMA PHENOMENA continued the high standards established by the earlier meetings in this series. It was organized under the directorship of Heinrich Hora and George H. Miley at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, with Fred Schwirzke as the local organizer. These workshops have presented many "firsts" in laser plasma interactions and especially in laser fusion. Some presentations provided continuity with the past, most represented advancements; however, in some workshops, progress did not appear to be occurring as rapidly as in others. Therefore, it was a special pleasure that in the present workshop when, on October 30, 1985, Chiyoe Yamanaka disclosed a breakthrough in the generation of fusion neutrons with laser fusion targets. The 7th Workshop also continued to represent other new fields of laser-plasma interaction. The progress reported was most pronounced in the fields of X-ray lasers, laser acceleration of particles by electrostatic double layers in plasmas, and a particle beam technique to solve the geometric problem of muon-catalyzed fusion. The development of laser-plasma interactions at medium to high laser intensities may be seen in its whole complexity from a brief review of prior conferences. At the first Workshop in 1969, a comprehensive review of the field was presented by the speakers with the opening address by N.

Edward Teller Lectures: Lasers And Inertial Fusion Energy

Edward Teller Lectures: Lasers And Inertial Fusion Energy PDF Author: Heinrich Hora
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 1783260645
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
How to achieve unlimited, safe, clean and low-cost energy by laser- or beam-driven inertial nuclear fusion has preoccupied all winners of the Edward Teller Medal since its inception in 1991. This book presents their findings, meeting discussions, and personal insights from Edward Teller himself. Expect discussion of important advances anticipated in the future such as multi-billion dollar fusion research projects (NIF), and new schemes such as the petawatt-picosecond laser-plasma interactions evoking new physics and coupling mechanisms.For the first time, laser technology of the new century is providing the very short and extremely intense energetic pulses needed for fusion energy from next generation power stations, which produce energy at several times lower cost than any other source. The long-sought dream to directly ignite frozen heavy hydrogen for controlled use is close to being realized. Years of research on plasmas and lasers carried out worldwide in highly sophisticated experiments is summarized. The coverage begins with the work of John Nuckolls and Nobel Laureate Nikolai Basov and leads to the new scheme of plasma block acceleration via the nonlinear ponderomotive force. Edward Teller Lectures is one of the first guides to these new developments./a