1. A wave-based model for cross-beam energy transfer in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion.
- Author
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Myatt, J. F., Follett, R. K., Shaw, J. G., Edgell, D. H., Froula, D. H., Igumenshchev, I. V., and Goncharov, V. N.
- Subjects
ENERGY transfer ,HYDRODYNAMICS ,RADIATION ,ELECTROMAGNETIC waves ,PLASMA gases - Abstract
Cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) is thought to be responsible for a 30% reduction in hydrodynamic coupling efficiency on OMEGA and up to 50% at the ignition scale for direct-drive (DD) implosions. These numbers are determined by ray-based models that have been developed and integrated within the radiation-hydrodynamics codes LILAC (1-D) and DRACO (2-D). However, ray-based modeling of CBET in an inhomogeneous plasma assumes a steady-state plasma response, does not include the effects of beam speckle, and treats ray caustics in an ad hoc manner. The validity of the modeling for ignition-scale implosions has not yet been determined. To address the physics shortcomings, which have important implications for DD inertial confinement fusion, a new wave-based model has been developed. It solves the time-enveloped Maxwell equations in three dimensions, including polarization effects, plasma inhomogeneity, and open-boundary conditions with the ability to prescribe beams incident at arbitrary angles. Beams can be made realistic with respect to laser speckle, polarization smoothing, and laser bandwidth. This, coupled to a linearized low-frequency plasma response that does not assume a steady state, represents the most-complete model of CBET to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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