Integrated simulation of magnetic-field-assist fast ignition laser fusion

TL;DR

This paper uses integrated simulations to evaluate how external magnetic fields influence core heating efficiency in fast ignition laser fusion, revealing benefits for solid ball targets but challenges for cone-attached shell targets.

Contribution

It demonstrates the effects of magnetic guiding on core heating in different target configurations and identifies optimal magnetic field conditions for improved fusion performance.

Findings

Magnetic fields can double core heating efficiency in solid ball targets.

Magnetic mirror effects can hinder core heating in cone-attached shell targets.

Timing of heating pulse influences core heating performance.

Abstract

To enhance the core heating efficiency in fast ignition laser fusion, the concept of relativistic electron beam guiding by external magnetic fields was evaluated by integrated simulations for FIREX class targets. For the cone-attached shell target case, the core heating performance is deteriorated by applying magnetic fields since the core is considerably deformed and the most of the fast electrons are reflected due to the magnetic mirror formed through the implosion. On the other hand, in the case of cone-attached solid ball target, the implosion is more stable under the kilo-tesla-class magnetic field. In addition, feasible magnetic field configuration is formed through the implosion. As the results, the core heating efficiency becomes double by magnetic guiding. The dependence of core heating properties on the heating pulse shot timing was also investigated for the solid ball target.