An extended hydrodynamics model for inertial confinement fusion hohlraums

TL;DR

This paper introduces an extended hydrodynamics model with higher moments and closure assumptions to better simulate plasma behavior in inertial confinement fusion hohlraums, especially in less collisional regions.

Contribution

It presents a novel extended hydrodynamics model incorporating higher moments and relaxation terms for improved plasma simulation in fusion hohlraum conditions.

Findings

Preliminary 1D implementation shows satisfactory results in high-velocity plasma collision tests.

The model addresses limitations of Euler equations in less collisional plasma regions.

Discussion on extending the model to 3D for realistic hohlraum geometries.

Abstract

In some inertial confinement fusion hohlraum designs, the inside plasma is not sufficiently collisional to be satisfactorily described by the Euler equations implemented in hydrodynamic simulation codes, particularly in converging regions of the expanding plasma flow. To better treat that situation, this paper presents an extended hydrodynamics model including higher moments of the particle velocity distribution function, together with physically justified closure assumptions and relaxation terms. A preliminary one-dimensional numerical implementation of the model is shown to give satisfactory results in a test case involving a high-velocity collision of two plasma flows. Paths to extend that model to three dimensions as needed for an actual hohlraum geometry are briefly discussed.