Nonlinear force laser driven plasma blocks for fast ignition

Frederick Osman, Heinrich Hora

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    Abstract

    The measurements of Badziak et al with very clean - i.e. with a contrast ratio above 10 - TW-ps laser pulses demonstrated that relativistic self-focusing was avoided and the conditions of plane wave geometry could be applied to produce a skin layer interaction process [1] in full agreement with the experiments with the consistence of a dielectric swelling of 3.5. The experiments confirmed that the emitted ion blocks driven by the nonlinear force against and with the laser beam showed the concluded 10 A/cm2 moving within narrow cones [2] in contrast to all the cases with relativistic self-focusing. We report how the limit of 10 J/cm2 energy density can be lowered by up to a factor 50 if collective effects, anomalous resistivity and particle interpenetration are included such that the laser driven plasma block as a kind of light ion beam driver may induce a reaction solid state DT where 10 kJ-ps laser pulses may produce 100 MJ fusion energy. After the use for controlled fusion was clarified and any other use was excluded by a declassification procedure, this permitted first publications [3]. As a consequence of this, we report about the possibilities for a fast ignitor-like fusion power scheme where solid DT fuel may be used without compression.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 31st EPS Conference on Plasma Physics, held in Imperial College, London, 28 June-2 July, 2004
    PublisherEuropean Physical Society
    Number of pages1
    ISBN (Print)2914771223
    Publication statusPublished - 2004
    EventEPS Conference on Plasma Physics -
    Duration: 1 Jan 2004 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceEPS Conference on Plasma Physics
    Period1/01/04 → …

    Keywords

    • particle beams
    • laser-plasma interactions
    • temperature
    • ions
    • fusion energy

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Nonlinear force laser driven plasma blocks for fast ignition'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this