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Volume ignition of laser driven fusion pellets and double layer effects*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

L. Cicchitelli ,
S. Eliezer ,
M. P. Goldsworthy ,
F. Green ,
H. Hora ,
P. S. Ray ,
R. J. Stening  and
H. Szichman
L. Cicchitelli
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
S. Eliezer
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
M. P. Goldsworthy
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
F. Green
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
H. Hora
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
P. S. Ray
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
R. J. Stening
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
H. Szichman
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, 2033, Australia
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Abstract

The realization of an ideal volume compression of laser-irradiated fusion pellets (by C. Yamanaka) opens the possibility for an alternative to spark ignition proposed for many years for inertial confinement fusion. A re-evaluation of the difficulties of the central spark ignition of laser driven pellets is given. The alternative volume compression theory, together with volume burn and volume ignition (discovered in 1977), have received less attention and are re-evaluated in view of the experimental verification by Yamanaka, generalized fusion gain formulas, and the variation of optimum temperatures derived at self-ignition. Reactor-level DT fusion with MJ-laser pulses and volume compression to 50 times the solid-state density are estimated. Dynamic electric fields and double layers at the surface and in the interior of plasmas result in new phenomena for the acceleration of thermal electrons to suprathermal electrons. Double layers also cause a surface tension which stabilizes against surface wave effects and Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities.

Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , May 1988 , pp. 163 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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