Ultrafast ignition with relativistic shock waves induced by high power lasers

TL;DR

This paper explores relativistic shock waves induced by high-power lasers for ultrafast ignition, introducing a transition domain between relativistic and non-relativistic regimes and proposing a novel energy source potential.

Contribution

It presents a relativistic hydrodynamics framework for the transition domain of laser-induced shock waves and proposes their application in ultrafast ignition of pre-compressed targets.

Findings

Calculated relativistic shock wave parameters.

Identified advantages of the ultrafast ignition scheme.

Proposed a new energy source potential.

Abstract

In this paper we consider laser intensities larger than $10^{16} W/cm^2$ where the ablation pressure is negligible in comparison with the radiation pressure. The radiation pressure is caused by the ponderomotive force acting mainly on the electrons that are separated from the ions to create a double layer (DL). This DL is accelerated into the target, like a piston that pushes the matter in such a way that a shock wave is created. Here we discuss two novel ideas. First is the transition domain between the relativistic and non-relativistic laser induced shock waves. Our solution is based on relativistic hydrodynamics also for the above transition domain. The relativistic shock wave parameters, such as compression, pressure, shock wave and particle flow velocities, sound velocity and rarefaction wave velocity in the compressed target, and the temperature are calculated. Secondly, we would like to use this transition domain for shock wave induced ultrafast ignition of a pre-compressed target. The laser parameters for these purposes are calculated and the main advantages of this scheme are described. If this scheme is successful a new source of energy in large quantities may become feasible.