Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider for Heavy Ion Fusion

Heavy Ion Fusion makes use of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Lab and the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland for Inertial Confinement Fusion. Two Storage Rings, which may or may not initially be needed, added to each of the Colliders increases the intensity of the Heavy Ion Beams making it comparable to the Total Energy delivered to the DT target by the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore Lab. The basic Physics involved gives Heavy Ion Fusion an advantage over Laser Fusion because heavy ions have greater penetration power than photons. The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider can be used as a Prototype Heavy Ion Fusion Reactor for the Large Hadron Collider.

Optimization of hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration of ion beams for fusion ignition

In contrast to ion beams produced by conventional accelerators,ion beams accelerated by ultrashort intense laser pulses have advantages of ultrashort bunch duration and ultrahigh density,which are achieved in compact size.However,it is still challenging to simultaneously enhance their quality and yield for practical applications such as fast ion ignition of inertial confinement fusion.Compared with other mechanisms of laser-driven ion acceleration,the hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration has a special advantage in generating high-fluence ion beams suitable for the creation of high energy density state of matters.In this paper,we present a review on some theoretical and numerical studies of the hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration.First we discuss the typical field structure associated with this mechanism,its intrinsic feature of oscillations,and the underling physics.Then we will review some recently proposed schemes to enhance the beam quality and the efficiency in the hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration,such as matching laser intensity profile with target density profile,and using two-ion-species targets.Based on this,we propose an integrated scheme for efficient high-quality hole-boring radiation pressure acceleration,in which the longitudinal density profile of a composite target as well as the laser transverse intensity profile are tailored according to the matching condition.

Special epoxy silicone adhesive for inertial confinement fusion experiment

The effects of toughener and coupling agent on special epoxy silicone adhesive were discussed by researching the surface morphology characters, thermal properties and shear strength of the adhesive. The results indicate that silicone coupling agent (KH-550) can improve the shear strength of the epoxy silicone adhesive effectively. The mass fraction of the toughener in the epoxy silicone adhesive plays an important role in its properties. When the mass fraction of the toughener is less than 14%, the shear strength of the adhesive is low. When the mass fraction of the toughener is over 33%, thermal properties and shear strength of the adhesive decrease with the increasing of the toughener. The mass fraction of toughener of 25% results in good integral properties of the epoxy silicone adhesive. The morphologic analysis indicates that the micro-phase separation exists in the epoxy molecular chain and the silicone molecular chain of the epoxy silicone adhesive.

Progress in particle-beam-driven inertial fusion research: Activities in Japan

Research activities in Japan relevant to particle beam inertial fusion are briefly reviewed.These activities can be ascended to the 1980s.During the past three decades,significant progress in particle beam fusion,pulsed power systems,accelerator schemes for intense beams,target physics,and high-energy-density physics research has been made by a number of research groups at universities and accelerator facilities in Japan.High-flux ions have been extracted from laser ablation plasmas.Controllability of the ion velocity distribution in the plasma by an axial magnetic and/or electric field has realized a stable high-flux low-emittance beam injector.Beam dynamics have been studied both theoretically and experimentally.The efforts have been concentrated on the beam behavior during the final compression stage of intense beam accelerators.A novel accelerator scheme based on a repetitive induction modulator has been proposed as a cost-effective particle-beam driver scheme.Beam-plasma interaction and pulse-powered plasma experiments have been investigated as relevant studies of particle beam inertial fusion.An irradiation method to mitigate the instability in imploding target has been proposed using oscillating heavy-ion beams.The new irradiation method has reopened the exploration of direct drive scheme of particle beam fusion.

Optimization of laser illumination configuration for directly driven inertial confinement fusion

Optimum laser configurations are presented to achieve high illumination uniformity with directly driven inertial confinement fusion targets.Assuming axisymmetric absorption pattern of individual laser beams,theoretical models are reviewed in terms of the number of laser beams,system imperfection,and laser beam patterns.Utilizing a self-organizing system of charged particles on a sphere,a simple numerical model is provided to give an optimal configuration for an arbitrary number of laser beams.As a result,such new configurations as“M48”and“M60”are found to show substantially higher illumination uniformity than any other existing direct drive systems.A new polar direct-drive scheme is proposed with the laser axes keeping off the target center,which can be applied to laser configurations designed for indirectly driven inertial fusion.

Diagnostic technique for measuring fusion reaction rate for inertial confinement fusion experiments at Shen Guang-III prototype laser facility

A study is conducted using a two-dimensional simulation program （Lared-s） with the goal of developing a technique to evaluate the effect of Rayleigh-Taylor growth in a neutron fusion reaction region. Two peaks of fusion reaction rate are simulated by using a two-dimensional simulation program （Lared-s） and confirmed by the experimental results. A neutron temporal diagnostic （NTD） system is developed with a high temporal resolution of - 30 ps at the Shen Guang-Ⅲ （SG-Ⅲ） prototype laser facility in China, to measure the fusion reaction rate history. With the shape of neutron reaction rate curve and the spherical harmonic function in this paper, the degree of Rayleigh-Taylor growth and the main source of the neutron yield in our experiment can be estimated qualitatively. This technique, including the diagnostic system and the simulation program, may provide important information for obtaining a higher neutron yield in implosion experiments of inertial confinement fusion.

An improved deconvolution method for X-ray coded imaging in inertial confinement fusion

In inertial confinement fusion （ICF）, X-ray coded imaging is considered as the most potential means to diagnose the compressed core. The traditional Richardson-Lucy （RL） method has a strong ability to deblur the image where the noise follows the Poisson distribution. However, it always suffers from over-fitting and noise amplification, especially when the signal-to-noise ratio of image is relatively low. In this paper, we propose an improved deconvolution method for X-ray coded imaging. We model the image data as a set of independent Gaussian distributions and derive the iterative solution with a maximum-likelihood scheme. The experimental results on X-ray coded imaging data demonstrate that this method is superior to the RL method in terms of anti-overfitting and noise suppression.

A fitting formula for electron–ion energy partition fraction of 3.54-MeV fusion alpha particles in hot dense deuterium–tritium plasmas

Based on our previous work(Phys.Plasmas 25 012704(2018)),a fitting formula is given for electron-ion energy partition fraction of 3.54-MeV fusion alpha particles in deuterium-tritium(DT) plasmas as a function of plasma mass density ρ,electron temperature T_(e),and ion temperature T_(i).The formula can be used in a huge range of the plasma state,where ρ varies between 1.0 g/cc~10.0^(3) g/cc and both T_(e) and T_(i) change from 0.1 keV to 100.0 keV.Relativistic effect for electrons is investigated including the effect of the projectile recoil in the plasmas at T_(e)≥ 50.0 keV.The partition fraction for T_(e)>T_(i) is found to be close to that for T_(e)=T_(i). The comparisons with other fitting results are made at some plasma densities when T_(e)=T_(i),and the difference is explained.The fitting result is very close to the calculated one in most cases,which is convenient for the simulation of alpha heating in hot dense DT plasmas for inertial confined fusion.

Effects of Atomic Mixing in Inertial Confinement Fusion by Multifluid Interpenetration Mix Model

The effects of atomic-level rnixing are systemically investigated in a multifluid interpenetration mix model ,and results are compared with the single-fluid model＇s simulations and experimental data. It is shown that increasing the model free parameter α, shock Mach number, and the initial density discontinuity makes the mix length and fraction of mixing particle increase, resulting in the lower shock temperatures compared with the results of single-fluid model without mixing. Recent high-compressibility direct-drive spherical implosions on OMEGA are simulated by the interpenetration mix modal. The calculations with atomic mixing between fuel and shell match quite well with the observations. Without considering any mixing, the calculated neutron yields and ion temperatures are overpredicted; while inclusion of the interpenetration mix model with the adjustable parameter α could fit the simulated neutron yields and ion temperatures well with experimental data.

Achievement of Laser Fusion with High Energy Efficiency Using a Mixture of D and T Ions

A mixture of deuterium (D) and tritium (T) is the most likely fuel for laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactors and hence DD and DT are the fusion reactions that will fire these reactors in the future. Neutrons produced from the two reactions will escape from the burning plasma, in the reactor core, and they are the only products possible to be measured directly. DT/DD neutron ratio is crucial for evaluation of T/D fuel ratio, burn control, tritium cycle and alpha particle self-heating power. To measure this ratio experimentally, the neutron spectra of DD and DT reactions have to be measured separately and simultaneously under high neutron counting with sufficient statistics (typically within 10% error) in a very short time and these issues are mutually contradicted. That is why it is not plausible to measure this high priority ratio for reactor performance accurately. Precise calculations of the DT/DD neutron ratio are needed. Here, we introduce such calculations using a three dimensional (3-D) Monte Carlo code at energies up to 40 MeV (the predicted maximum ion acceleration energy with the available laser systems). In addition, the fusion power ratio of DD and DT reactions is calculated for the same energy range. The study indicates that for a mixture of 50% deuterium and 50% triton, with taking into account the reactions D(d,n)3He and T(d,n)4He, the optimum energy value for achieving the most efficient laser-driven ICF is 0.08 MeV.

Ultrafast pulse-dilation framing camera and its application for time-resolved X-ray diagnostic

An ultrafast framing camera with a pulse-dilation device,a microchannel plate(MCP)imager,and an electronic imaging system were reported.The camera achieved a temporal resolution of 10 ps by using a pulse-dilation device and gated MCP imager,and a spatial resolution of 100μm by using an electronic imaging system comprising combined magnetic lenses.The spatial resolution characteristics of the camera were studied both theoretically and experimentally.The results showed that the camera with combined magnetic lenses reduced the field curvature and acquired a larger working area.A working area with a diameter of 53 mm was created by applying four magnetic lenses to the camera.Furthermore,the camera was used to detect the X-rays produced by the laser-targeting device.The diagnostic results indicated that the width of the X-ray pulse was approximately 18 ps.

Nondestructive and active interrogation system for special nuclear material:proof of principle and initial results

Herein,we employ the threshold energy neutron analysis(TENA)technique to introduce the world's first active interrogation system to detect special nuclear materials(SNMs),including U-235 and Pu-239.The system utilizes a DD neutron generator based on inertial electrostatic confinement(IEC)to interrogate suspicious objects.To detect secondary neutrons produced during fission reactions induced in SNMs,a tensioned metastable fluid detector(TMFD)is employed.The current status of the system's development is reported in this paper,accompanied by the results from experiments conducted to detect 10 g of highly enriched uranium(HEU).Notably,the experimental findings demonstrate a distinct difference in the count rates of measurements with and without HEU.This difference in count rates surpasses two times the standard deviation,indicating a confidence level of more than 96% for identifying the presence of HEU.The paper presents and extensively discusses the proof-of-principle experimental results,along with the system's planned trajectory.

From concept to reality-A review to the primary test stand and its preliminary application in high energy density physics

Pulsed power technology,whereas the electrical energy stored in a relative long period is released in much shorter timescale,is an efficient method to create high energy density physics(HEDP)conditions in laboratory.Around the beginning of this century,China Academy of Engineering Physics(CAEP)began to build some experimental facilities for HEDP investigations,among which the Primary Test Stand(PTS),a multi-module pulsed power facility with a nominal current of 10 MA and a current rising time~90 ns,is an important achievement on the roadmap of the electro-magnetically driven inertial confinement fusion(ICF)researches.PTS is the first pulsed power facility beyond 10 TW in China.Therefore,all the technologies have to be demonstrated,and all the engineering issues have to be overcome.In this article,the research outline,key technologies and the preliminary HEDP experiments are reviewed.Prospects on HEDP research on PTS and pulsed power development for the next step are also discussed.

Laser performance upgrade for precise ICF experiment in SG-Ⅲ laser facility

The SG-Ⅲlaser facility(SG-Ⅲ)is the largest laser driver for inertial confinement fusion(ICF)researches in China,which has 48 beamlines and can deliver 180 kJ ultraviolet laser energy in 3 ns.In order to meet the requirements of precise physics experiments,some new functionalities need to be added to SG-Ⅲand some intrinsic laser performances need upgrade.So at the end of SG-Ⅲ's engineering construction,the 2-year laser performance upgrade project started.This paper will introduce the newly added functionalities and the latest laser performance of SG-Ⅲ.With these function extensions and performance upgrade,SG-Ⅲis now fully prepared for precise ICF experiments and solidly paves the way towards fusion ignition.

P3: An installation for high-energy density plasma physics and ultra-high intensity laserematter interaction at ELI-Beamlines

ELI-Beamlines(ELI-BL),one of the three pillars of the Extreme Light Infrastructure endeavour,will be in a unique position to perform research in high-energy-density-physics(HEDP),plasma physics and ultra-high intensity(UHI)ð>10^(22) W=cm^(2)) lasereplasma interaction.Recently the need for HED laboratory physics was identified and the P3(plasma physics platform)installation under construction in ELI-BL will be an answer.The ELI-BL 10 PW laser makes possible fundamental research topics from high-field physics to new extreme states of matter such as radiation-dominated ones,high-pressure quantum ones,warm dense matter(WDM)and ultra-relativistic plasmas.HEDP is of fundamental importance for research in the field of laboratory astrophysics and inertial confinement fusion(ICF).Reaching such extreme states of matter now and in the future will depend on the use of plasma optics for amplifying and focusing laser pulses.This article will present the relevant technological infrastructure being built in ELI-BL for HEDP and UHI,and gives a brief overview of some research under way in the field of UHI,laboratory astrophysics,ICF,WDM,and plasma optics.

Radiation Temperature Scaling Law for Gold Hohlraum Heated with Lasers at 0.35 mm Wavelength

We have carried out the hohlraum experiments about radiation temperature scaling on the Shenguang-Ⅱ （SG- Ⅱ） laser facility with eight laser beams of 0.35#m, pulse duration of about 1.0ns and total energy of 2000J. The reradiated x-ray flux through the laser entrance hole was measured using a soft x-ray spectrometer. The measured peak radiation temperature was 170eV for the standard hohlraum and 150 eV for the 1.5-scaled one. We have derived the radiation temperature scaling law, in which the laser hohlraum coupling efficiency is included. With an appropriate coupling efficiency, the coincidences between experimental and scaling hohlraum radiation temperatures are rather good.

Theoretical and numerical research of wire array Z-pinch and dynamic hohlraum at IAPCM

Dense Z-pinch plasmas are powerful and energy-efficient laboratory sources of X-rays,and show the possibility to drive inertial confinement fusion(ICF).Recent advances in wire-array Z-pinch and Z-pinch dynamic hohlraum(ZPDH)researches at the Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics are presented in this paper.Models are setup to study different physical processes.A full circuit model(FCM)was used to study the coupling between Z-pinch implosion and generator discharge.A mass injection model with azimuthal modulation was setup to simulate the wire-array plasma initiation,and the two-dimensional MHD code MARED was developed to investigate the Z-pinch implosion,MRT instability,stagnation and radiation.Implosions of nested and quasi-spherical wire arrays were also investigated theoretically and numerically.Key processes of ZPDH,such as the arrayefoam interaction,formation of the hohlraum radiation,as well as the following capsule ablation and implosion,were analyzed with different radiation magneto-hydrodynamics(RMHD)codes.An integrated 2D RMHD simulation of dynamic hohlraum driven capsule implosion provides us the physical insights of wire-array plasma acceleration,shock generation and propagation,hohlraum formation,radiation ablation,and fuel compression.

Development of an ultrafast detector and demonstration of its oscillographic application

A dilation X-ray detector(DIXD)based on time dilation and microchannel plate(MCP)gated technology has been reported.The DIXD passes a driving pulse along the transmission photocathode(PC)to obtain a dilated electron signal and finally achieves a high time resolution of 12 ps.Furthermore,the waveform of the PC driving pulse can be obtained using the DIXD,and a DIXD oscillographic function can be obtained.An experiment is presented to demonstrate the DIXD oscilloscope.The waveform of the PC driving pulse from points t_(1) to t_(12) is achieved by the DIXD.The waveform agrees well with that measured by a high-speed oscilloscope with a difference of less than 6%.The maximum theoretical bandwidth of the DIXD oscilloscope is theoretically studied.The bandwidth is limited by the potential difference between the PC and mesh.When the potential difference is 3.4 kV,the theoretical limiting bandwidth is 1000 GHz.The bandwidth increases with an increase in the potential difference.

Progress in octahedral spherical hohlraum study

In this paper,we give a review of our theoretical and experimental progress in octahedral spherical hohlraum study.From our theoretical study,the octahedral spherical hohlraums with 6 Laser Entrance Holes(LEHs)of octahedral symmetry have robust high symmetry during the capsule implosion at hohlraum-to-capsule radius ratio larger than 3.7.In addition,the octahedral spherical hohlraums also have potential superiority on low backscattering without supplementary technology.We studied the laser arrangement and constraints of the octahedral spherical hohlraums,and gave a design on the laser arrangement for ignition octahedral hohlraums.As a result,the injection angle of laser beams of 50°-60°was proposed as the optimum candidate range for the octahedral spherical hohlraums.We proposed a novel octahedral spherical hohlraum with cylindrical LEHs and LEH shields,in order to increase the laser coupling efficiency and improve the capsule symmetry and to mitigate the influence of the wall blowoff on laser transport.We studied on the sensitivity of the octahedral spherical hohlraums to random errors and compared the sensitivity among the octahedral spherical hohlraums,the rugby hohlraums and the cylindrical hohlraums,and the results show that the octahedral spherical hohlraums are robust to these random errors while the cylindrical hohlraums are the most sensitive.Up till to now,we have carried out three experiments on the spherical hohlraum with 2 LEHs on Shenguang(SG)laser facilities,including demonstration of improving laser transport by using the cylindrical LEHs in the spherical hohlraums,spherical hohlraum energetics on the SGIII prototype laser facility,and comparisons of laser plasma instabilities between the spherical hohlraums and the cylindrical hohlraums on the SGIII laser facility.

Aluminum X-ray mass-ablation rate measurements

Measurements of the mass ablation rate of aluminum(Al)have been completed at the Omega Laser Facility.These measurements show that the mass-ablation rate of Al is higher than plastic(CH),comparable to high density carbon(HDC),and lower than beryllium.The mass-ablation rate is consistent with predictions using a 1D Lagrangian code,Helios.The results suggest Al capsules have a reasonable ablation pressure even with a higher albedo than beryllium or carbon ablators and further investigation into the viability of Al capsules for ignition should be pursued.