1. High-intensity laser plasma interactions and fast ignition
- Author
-
Theodor Schlegel and Vladimir Tikhonchuk
- Subjects
Physics ,Range (particle radiation) ,Fusion ,business.industry ,Electron ,Plasma ,Laser ,law.invention ,Ignition system ,Optics ,Physics::Plasma Physics ,law ,Physics::Chemical Physics ,business ,Inertial confinement fusion ,Intensity (heat transfer) - Abstract
Fast ignition of inertial fusion targets is one of the promising ways for future energy production. Recent studies of ignition with fast electrons have shown only little progress - mainly caused by the unresolved problem of controlled electron transport in dense plasmas. Ion-assisted ignition schemes are less sensitive in this regard and laser energies in the range of 50 - 100 kJ are required for fuel ignition. Picosecond laser pulses with intensities exceeding 10 22 Wcm -2 and a high intensity contrast of better than 10 -10 are needed thereby. The cone-guided target proves to be the most efficient scheme, although targets without a cone are more appropriate for high repetition rate operation.
- Published
- 2011