On the possibility of target plasma ignition under the conditions of inertial nuclear fusion

The thermonuclear gain G for bulk and spark ignitions are calculated using a mathematical simulation of thermonuclear combustion in a DT plasma of laser targets for various parameters of the target plasma and (isobaric and isochoric) ignitors. The critical parameters of ignitors at which an effective nuclear burst occurs with G ～ 100 are calculated. It is shown that a further increase in the temperature and size of the ignitors virtually does not affect the efficiency of DT fuel burnup. Irrespective of the ignition technique, the value of G can be estimated with the help of a simple asymptotic formula. At the same time, the critical parameters of ignitors are determined to a considerable extent by the mode of ignition and by the target parameters. Spark ignition with an isochoric ignitor corresponding to the fast ignition mode is considered in detail. It is shown that the main critical parameter for optimal isochoric ignitors is their thermal energy liberated upon absorption of an auxiliary ultrashort laser pulse. The critical values of this energy are calculated.     

Effect of the initial phase state of DT-matter on the compression of inertial fusion targets

We investigate the efficiency of inertial fusion target compression, where at the initial time moment the thermonuclear fuel is in a two-phase state and has the form of two adjacent layers — the external DT-liquid layer and the internal DT-ice layer. We study this problem for the fast ignition targets, where the ultimate final density of the thermonuclear matter is of a special importance. We take the simplest type of a fast ignition target, which corresponds to the technical justification of the HiPER Project aimed at demonstrating fast ignition at the compressing laser pulse energy ~100 kJ. Such a target presents a spherical DT-ice shell coated with a thin polymer film. We obtain the dependence of the final target density on the mass fraction of the DT-matter liquid phase and formulate the requirements on the admissible concentration of liquid phase if the decrease in the DT-fuel final density does not exceed 10%. We find the criterion for choosing the laser-pulse duration which provides the minimum decrease in the final density of the target containing DT-matter in the initial two-phase state.     

Thermonuclear fusion in a strong laser field

Thermonuclear fusion induced by the irradiation of solid deuterated cluster targets and foils with fields of strong femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses is discussed. The thermonuclear-fusion process D(d, n)³He in a collision of two deuterons at an energy of 50 to 100 keV in a deuterium cluster target irradiated with a strong laser pulse is discussed. A theory of thermonuclear fusion proceeding upon the irradiation of clusters formed by deuterium iodide (DI) molecules with the field of a superintense femtosecond laser pulse is developed. This theory is based on an above-barrier process in which the sequential multiple inner ionization of atomic ions within a cluster is accompanied by field-induced outer ionization. The yield of neutrons from thermonuclear fusion in a deuteron-deuteron collision after the completion of a laser pulse is calculated. The yield of neutrons is determined for the thermonuclear-fusion reaction proceeding in the interaction of an intense picosecond laser pulse with thin TiD₂ foils. A multiple ionization of titanium atoms at the front edge of the laser pulse is considered. The heating of free electron occurs in induced inverse bremsstrahlung in the process of electron scattering on multiply charged titanium ions. The yield of alpha particles in the thermonuclear-fusion reaction involving protons and ¹¹B nuclei that is induced in microdrops by a strong laser field is determined. Experimental data on laser-induced thermonuclear fusion are discussed.     

Preheating of a target by laser radiation through plasma and polymer aerogel

Processing of X-ray and optical streak-camera images after brightness amplification 5 proves unambiguously the existence of a preheating of the foil in two-layer targets (polymer aerogel plus Al foil). We observed this effect earlier at the accuracy limit of the experiment. Preheating may be explained by the initial transmission of laser radiation by an inhomogeneous plasma and aerogel remnants. The fraction of laser energy that passed through a microheterogeneous plasma to the foil or shell is small in comparison with the total energy in the pulse, but it comes to the target (foil or shell) at the initial period of the laser pulse and can be significantly affected by the dynamics of plasma and the efficiency of spherical cryogenic thermonuclear targets.     

Effect of spatial nonuniformity of heating on compression and burning of a thermonuclear target under direct multibeam irradiation by a megajoule laser pulse

Direct-drive fusion targets are considered at present as an alternative to targets of indirect compression at a laser energy level of about 2 MJ. In this approach, the symmetry of compression and ignition of thermonuclear fuel play the major role. We report on the results of theoretical investigation of compression and burning of spherical direct-drive targets in the conditions of spatial nonuniformity of heating associated with a shift of the target from the beam center of focusing and possible laser radiation energy disbalance in the beams. The investigation involves numerous calculations based on a complex of 1D and 2D codes RAPID, SEND (for determining the target illumination and the dynamics of absorption), DIANA, and NUT (1D and multidimensional hydrodynamics of compression and burning of targets). The target under investigation had the form of a two-layer shell (ablator made of inertial material CH and DT ice) filled with DT gas. We have determined the range of admissible variation of compression and combustion parameters of the target depending on the variation of the spatial nonuniformity of its heating by a multibeam laser system. It has been shown that low-mode (long-wavelength) perturbations deteriorate the characteristics of the central region due to less effective conversion of the kinetic energy of the target shell into the internal energy of the center. Local initiation of burning is also observed in off-center regions of the target in the case of substantial asymmetry of irradiation. In this case, burning is not spread over the entire volume of the DT fuel as a rule, which considerably reduces the thermonuclear yield as compared to that in the case of spherical symmetry and central ignition.     

The influence of the state of a compressed thermonuclear substance on the combustion of inertial fusion targets under direct ignition by a short radiation pulse

One-dimensional numerical calculations were performed to study the dependence of conditions for initiating thermonuclear combustion and of the target gain of direct-ignition inertial fusion targets ignited by a short radiation pulse on the initial temperature of a preliminarily compressed fuel and the initial heat energy distribution between plasma electrons and ions in the ignition region (igniter). The igniter parameters at which an effective thermonuclear target explosion with a G ～ 10³ target gain occurred were shown to substantially depend on the initial temperature of the major fuel fraction and the initial heat energy distribution between igniter electrons and ions. The heat energy of the igniter passed a minimum as the size of the igniter decreased. The dependences of these minimum energies on the temperature of the major fuel fraction at various initial energy distributions between igniter electrons and ions were determined. An increase in the temperature of the major fuel fraction was shown to decrease the target gain.     

Optimum hot electron production with low-density foams for laser fusion by fast ignition

We propose a foam cone-in-shell target design aiming at optimum hot electron production for the fast ignition. A thin low-density foam is proposed to cover the inner tip of a gold cone inserted in a fuel shell. An intense laser is then focused on the foam to generate hot electrons for the fast ignition. Element experiments demonstrate increased laser energy coupling efficiency into hot electrons without increasing the electron temperature and beam divergence with foam coated targets in comparison with solid targets. This may enhance the laser energy deposition in the compressed fuel plasma.     

Decrease in the Ignition Threshold of Low‐Aspect Laser Targets Using Moderate Profiling of the Pulse Power

It is shown that the ignition of low-aspect targets (aspect ratio lower than 25) can be realized using moderate profiling of the pulse, which consists of two stages with a linear power rise in each of them. Because the low‐aspect targets are more stable than targets with a high aspect ratio, they can be used in ignition experiments in systems with direct irradiation.     

基于受激布里渊散射能量转移的冲击点火激光技术研究

提出一种新型的激光放大技术, 高效地实现冲击点火所需的10² ps级高功率激光脉冲. 该技术耦合了传统的激光驱动器放大技术和受激布里渊散射(SBS) 脉冲压缩技术, 在不改变现有激光装置主体结构的前提下, 使用长脉冲(数 ns) 充分提取主放大器储能, 然后在系统输出端通过SBS进行脉冲自抽运的能量转移, 将长脉冲能量转移给10² ps级的冲击脉冲, 实现高效放大的目的. 该技术在主动控制下实现能量转移, 将克服传统SBS压缩时间特性不可控的缺点, 输出满足冲击点火时域特性要求的精密控制激光脉冲.     

基于现役装置的冲击点火可行性概念研究

以冲击点火物理特性的研究为基础, 分析冲击点火对高功率激光驱动器的物理需求, 然后从总体层面概括给出基于现役装置(神光III等间接驱动中心点火高功率激光装置) 研究冲击点火面临的关键技术问题. 研究表明, 基于现役装置的冲击点火主要面临两个层面的问题, 首先是非均匀光路排布下实现均匀辐照的工程层面问题, 其次是在现役装置上高效实现冲击点火激光脉冲的激光技术层面问题. 通过研究 分别对两个层面的问题提出相应的解决思路, 为后续研究奠定基础.     

Magnetoexcitons in core/shell quantum dots

The ground-state energies of the “bright” and “dark” excitons formed by an electron and a hole localized in a thin spherical shell subjected to a high magnetic field are calculated. This model corresponds to a core/shell quantum dot. The high-field condition implies that the magnetic length is much shorter than the radius of the sphere. It is found that the ground-state energy of the bright exciton exhibits an unusual magnetic-field dependence: E ₀ ～ H ^2/3.     

高功率微波窗内外表面闪络击穿流体模拟研究

建立理论模型,将电磁场时域有限差分方法与等离子体流体模型结合,编制一维电磁场与等离子流体耦合程序,数值研究了3 GHz高功率微波窗内外表面闪络击穿的不同物理过程.研究结果表明:外表面闪络击穿中,输出微波脉宽缩短(未完全截止),窗体前均方根场强呈驻波分布,波节与波腹位置不变,窗体外表面形成有一层高密(约10~(21)·m~(-3)量级)极薄(约mm量级)等离子体(扩散缓慢),入射波可部分透过该薄层等离子体,脉宽缩短主要源于等离子体吸收效应;降低初始等离子体密度、厚度、入射波场强及缩短入射波脉宽等方式,可不同程度地改善输出脉宽缩短效应.内表面闪络击穿中,窗体前均方根场强亦出现驻波分布f但波节与波腹位置随时间变化),等离子体向波源方向运动;强释气下,输出脉宽缩短(未完全截止),形成多丝状高密(约10~(21)·m~(-3)量级)极薄(约mm量级)等离子体区域(扩散缓慢),间距1/4微波波长,脉宽缩短主要源于等离子体吸收效应;弱释气、低场强下,脉宽缩短有所改善(但最终截止),形成多带状致密(约10~(18)·m~(-3)量级)略厚(mm-cm量级)等离子体区域(扩散较快),间距1/4波长,脉宽缩短主要源于等离子体吸收效应;弱释气、高场强下,脉宽缩短严重(很快截止),形成块状高密(约10~(21)·m~(-3)量级)较厚(约cm量级)等离子体区域(扩散迅速),脉宽缩短主要源于等离子体反射效应.     

机载激光雷达沙尘探测能量优化配置的统计研究

依据美国ANSI标准,结合1999~2004年间地基激光雷达探测的合肥地区沙尘暴消光廓线,统计分析了机载大气探测激光雷达探测沙尘时偏振532 nm垂直通道和1064 nm通道所需的最小激光能量,模拟计算了机载大气探测激光雷达探测沙尘暴时在0~12km高度范围内不同激光束发散角和激光脉冲能量比例的532 nm和1064 nm激光脉冲眼睛安全最大阈值能量。以合肥地区沙尘暴消光特性的统计结果、地面人眼安全标准和两个"瓶颈"通道的探测能力为依据提出两种激光脉冲能量配置方案。     

Amplifier module of the “Del'fin” facility for thermonuclear plasma heating

The construction principle and the applicable system are considered for the highpower laser amplifier module of the “Del'fin” facility, intended for spherical heating of thermonuclear targets. Results are presented of investigations of the radiation parameters of the amplifier module under various operating regimes. The system for focusing the laser radiation on the target surfaces is described and the results of experiments on plasma heating by radiation of three composite laser beams, at a laser energy level up to 1 kJ at a flux density up to 10¹⁴ W/cm², are analyzed.     

Heating and compression of laser-irradiated spherical targets

Heating and dynamics of compression of shell targets irradiated by a nanosecond laser pulse in the “Kal'mar” facility are investigated. Comprehensive procedures are developed and used to investigate the energy balance and the compression dynamics of the target scattered by the radiation plasma at the harmonic frequencies 2ω₀ and 3/2ω₀, and of the spectral distribution of the continuous x radiation. The use of the developed procedures has made it possible to clarify the dependence of the components of the energy balance on the target parameters, to establish new regularities governing the shell motion, to identify the phenomena that take place in the region of the critical and quarter-critical density, and to demonstrate experimentally the possibility of reaching in the “exploding pusher” regime densities much higher than the density of a solid body.     

Measurement of the Hydrodynamic Efficiency of Laser Plasma at the “Kanal-2” Installation using Aluminum and Copper Targets

The results of experimental measurements of the hydrodynamic efficiency of laser plasma for aluminum and copper targets are presented. The studies were performed on the “Kanal-2” laser setup system using the ballistic pendulum method. The pressure in the interaction chamber was 10^?4 Torr, the pendulum length was 145 mm, the mass of the pendulum with a target was 7.2 g. At the half-height pulse duration of 2.5 ns, the power density on the target surface was ～10¹³ W/cm². In the case of aluminum target, the hydrodynamic efficiency coefficient increased from 1.5% to 4.5% with increasing laser pulse energy from 5 J to 10 J, whereas it remained at the level of 5% for the copper target.     

Powerful thermonuclear neutron source based on laser excitation of hydrothermal dissipation in a volume-structured medium

An efficient method is proposed for generating thermonuclear neutrons by irradiating with a laser pulse a volume-structured material of subcritical density, consisting of a series of thin layers of condensed matter separated by interlayers of low-density matter (or a vacuum gap). The plasma ions are heated up to thermonuclear temperatures much higher than the electron temperature by hydrothermal dissipation of the energy of the laser radiation, as a wave of thermal explosions of the layers propagates along the laser beam axis, followed by collisions of plasma counterflows with conversion of the kinetic energy into thermal energy of ions. Different variants of the targets and experimental conditions are discussed in order to demonstrate the proposed method of neutron generation. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 8, 521–526 (25 October 1997)     

Phonon–particle coupling effects in odd–even double mass differences of magic nuclei

It has been proposed to use the formation of a magnetized plasma of laser-accelerated ions and electrons at the irradiation of the curved surface of the inner cavity of the target by a petawatt laser pulse to initiate a neutronless nuclear reaction of protons with boron nuclei. The possibility of an additional increase in the intensity of the reaction owing to the compression of the plasma at the irradiation of the outer surface of the target by a second terawatt laser pulse synchronized in time with the plasma-forming pulse has been discussed. The parameters of laser pulses and a target have been determined at which the ignition of a pB plasma occurs; i.e., the energy released in reactions is equal to the energy of the plasma.     

Transportation of megawatt millijoule laser pulses via optical fibers?

Laser ignition is considered to be one of the most promising future concepts for internal combustion engines. It combines the legally required reduction of pollutant emissions and higher engine efficiencies. The igniting plasma is generated by a focused pulsed laser beam. Having pulse durations of a few nanoseconds, the pulse energy E _p for reliable ignition amounts to the order of 10 mJ. Different methods of laser ignition with an emphasis on fiber-based systems will be discussed and evaluated.