Sensitivity of NIF ignition capsules to hot electron preheat
Abstract
In indirect drive inertial confinement fusion, a fraction of the laser's energy may be transferred to super thermal electrons through stimulated Raman scattering. These hot electrons can irreversibly deposit energy in the cryogenic DT fuel, raising the isentrope of the fuel (also known as "preheat"). We explore the sensitivity of potential NIF ignition capsules to hot electron preheat and discuss how a given amount of hot electron production raises the minimum energy of ignition and, consequently, affects the margin. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..DPPCO1002M