Ion beam requirements for fast ignition of inertial fusion targets

TL;DR

This paper uses numerical simulations to analyze ion beam requirements for fast ignition in inertial fusion, considering effects like beam divergence and comparing different ion generation schemes.

Contribution

It introduces new simulation results that account for ion beam divergence and compares TNSA and quasi-monoenergetic ions for fast ignition.

Findings

Ignition energy depends on beam divergence angle.

Focusing position affects ignition energy.

Comparison shows differences between TNSA and monoenergetic ions.

Abstract

Ion beam requirements for fast ignition are investigated by numerical simulation taking into account new effects such as ion beam divergence not included before. We assume that ions are generated by the TNSA scheme in a curved foil placed inside a re-entrant cone and focused on the cone apex or beyond. From the focusing point to the compressed core ions propagate with a given divergence angle. Ignition energies are obtained for two compressed fuel configurations heated by proton and carbon ion beams. The dependence of the ignition energies on the beam divergence angle and on the position of the ion beam focusing point have been analysed. Comparison between TNSA and quasi-monoenergetic ions is also shown.