Key physics for Inertial Confinement Fusion diagnosed by ion emission
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We propose a new programme of research which will provide substantial and important advances in our understanding of the physics of energetic electron transport and shock breakout uniformity in dense plasma - processes critical to the success of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) schemes. We will do this by developing an entirely new class of diagnostic, based on ion emission, and apply this to diagnose electron transport and shock uniformity breakout with unprecedented micron-scale resolution. This offers significant advantages over existing diagnostic techniques and when combined with existing techniques will greatly increase our understanding of key physical processes for ICF.ICF holds the promise of achieving conditions in the laboratory where more energy is produced in fusion reactions than is incident on an imploding fusion pellet, thus creating an energy source (Inertial Fusion Energy). A critical issue for the fast ignition approach to ICF is the efficient delivery of energy from a short 'ignition' laser pulse, usually by acceleration and transport of energetic electrons. An understanding of energy transport and heating by laser-accelerated relativistic electrons is therefore of fundamental importance to the fast ignitor concept and yet there are many outstanding physics questions relating to this. The transport of fast electrons through dense matter is also important for the development of high power laser driven ion sources. The research proposed here involves a comprehensive programme of experimental investigations, underpinned by theoretical modelling, designed to address questions on electron transport and shock propagation of fundamental importance to the development of laser driven particle and radiation sources in general and ICF in particular.The programme will be carried out using state-of-the-art high intensity laser systems at the Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder Society (Collaboration)
- ELI Beamlines (Collaboration)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) (Collaboration)
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (Collaboration)
Publications
McKenna P
(2008)
Effects of front surface plasma expansion on proton acceleration in ultraintense laser irradiation of foil targets
in Laser and Particle Beams
Santos J
(2009)
Fast electron propagation in high density plasmas created by shock wave compression
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Quinn K
(2009)
Modified proton radiography arrangement for the detection of ultrafast field fronts.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Nürnberg F
(2009)
Radiochromic film imaging spectroscopy of laser-accelerated proton beams.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Quinn K
(2009)
Laser-driven ultrafast field propagation on solid surfaces.
in Physical review letters
Carroll D
(2009)
Dynamic control and enhancement of laser-accelerated protons using multiple laser pulses
in Comptes Rendus. Physique
Kar S
(2009)
Guiding of Relativistic Electron Beams in Solid Targets by Resistively Controlled Magnetic Fields
in Physical Review Letters
Quinn K
(2009)
Observation of the transient charging of a laser-irradiated solid
in The European Physical Journal D
Yuan X
(2010)
Effect of self-generated magnetic fields on fast-electron beam divergence in solid targets
in New Journal of Physics
Batani D
(2010)
Effects of laser prepulses on laser-induced proton generation
in New Journal of Physics
Description | This research project focused on the physics of energetic electron generation and transport in dense targets irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses. The results are important for almost all topics in the field of high intensity laser-solid interactions, and are of particular importance in the development of advanced approaches to inertial confinement fusion and for laser-driven schemes for the production of high energy ion beams. The project has resulted in 43 papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals, including several in Physical Review Letters, and numerous invited presentations at national and international conferences and workshops. A highlight of our research programme was the first demonstration that lattice structure plays an important role in defining the properties of beams of energetic electrons transported in solids irradiated by ultrashort high intensity laser pulses. We determined that by heating solids fast enough it is possible to create highly non-equilibrium states of warm dense matter in which the electrons in the material are thermally excited but the ions temporarily remain cold and retain their lattice structure, and that the electrical conductivity of the material in this transient state strongly affects energetic electron transport. The experiment was performed using high-power laser pulses from the Vulcan petawatt laser at the UK's Central Laser Facility and our findings are supported by detailed theoretical work. The result has implications for the many potential applications of high power laser-solid interactions, e.g. impacting on the choice of materials used in the fabrication of advanced targets for fusion and in targets for laser-driven ion acceleration. Our finding that diamond produces smooth electron transport is particularly interesting from an applications viewpoint because of its unique material properties, including high hardness and thermal conductivity. Other pioneering work resulting from this research programme includes demonstration of the effects of self-generated magnetic fields on the propagation of energetic electron beams in homogeneous solids and a new technique for guiding energetic electrons in layered solid targets irradiated by ultra-intense laser pulses. Strong magnetic fields created at the interface of two different metals are used to guide the transport of energetic electrons through dense plasma. This approach could impact on the design of targets to achieve the fast ignition approach to inertial fusion energy. Other highlights include important new understanding of the processes giving rise to the guiding of energetic electrons laterally along target surfaces, and specifically the sensitivity of these processes to various laser and target parameters. The effects of circulating energetic electrons within solids on X-ray emission was demonstrated for the first time and a comprehensive set of measurements on the effects of preformed plasma on laser energy absorption and coupling to energetic electrons was made as part of this research project. These results have led to new schemes for enhancing laser energy coupling to electrons and ions and for controlling the properties of laser-accelerated ion beams. |
Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this work impacts the development of advanced high gain approaches to inertial confinement fusion and thus the potential for inertial fusion energy. They also impact strongly on the development of laser driven ion acceleration (in particularly on acceleration mechanisms involving sheath fields produced by energetic electrons transported through solids). The outcomes will be taken forward primarily by researchers working on these topics. The outcomes are also informing research into the development of laser-driven ion acceleration, the potential applications of which include the healthcare sector. |
Sectors | Energy Healthcare |
Description | The non-academic beneficiaries of this research are the general public and industry. Results from this project are being used to inform the development of laser-driven ion and radiation (X-ray) sources. There are many potential applications of these sources being actively pursued. One of the most exciting and widely-discussed possibilities is to use potentially compact laser-ion sources for hadron therapy/oncology. The outcomes are also benefiting the international effort to develop advanced high gain approaches to inertial confinement fusion and thus inertial fusion energy. For example, an international research group have started investigating diamond targets for advanced approaches to ignition based on the outcomes of our research into the fast electron transport properties of diamond. Thus the findings of this research project are likely to benefit society via applications in health and energy in the long term. There are also potential long term benefits to UK industry via the development of laser-driven radiation sources (for applications such as ion implantation). The project resulted in the training of a post-doctoral researcher and two PhD researchers, with a range of skills valued by both academia and industry. |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £1,330,510 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J003832/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Central Laser Facility |
Organisation | ELI Beamlines |
Country | Czech Republic |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I am a user of high power laser facilities provided by these partners |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of laser beam time |
Impact | Multiple research publications |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Central Laser Facility |
Organisation | Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) |
Country | Romania |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I am a user of high power laser facilities provided by these partners |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of laser beam time |
Impact | Multiple research publications |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Central Laser Facility |
Organisation | Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres |
Department | GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I am a user of high power laser facilities provided by these partners |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of laser beam time |
Impact | Multiple research publications |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Central Laser Facility |
Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Department | Central Laser Facility |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a user of high power laser facilities provided by these partners |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of laser beam time |
Impact | Multiple research publications |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Joint research with CCLRC (Council for Central Laboratory of Research Councils) |
Organisation | The Chronic Granulomatous Disorder Society |
Department | Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) Research Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from CCLRC (Council for Central Laboratory of Research Councils) |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Advanced Highers School Outreach event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Advanced Highers School Outreach event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Speaker : Schools engagement. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | An overview of laser-driven ion acceleration |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | An overview of laser-driven ion acceleration |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Effects of plasma expansion on laser-driven proton acceleration |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Effects of plasma expansion on laser-driven proton acceleration. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Fast electron generation and transport in high power laser solid interactions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Fast electron generation and transport in high power laser solid interactions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Harnessing fusion energy using lasers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Speaker : Public lecture/debate/seminar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Investigation of plasma critical surface dynamics in intense laser-solid interactions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Contributor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Invited speaker -Summer School "Towards Fusion Energy", Poland (2011) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk : Invited speaker -Summer School "Towards Fusion Energy", Poland (2011). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Invited speaker -Summer School "Towards Fusion Energy", Poland (2011) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker -Summer School "Towards Fusion Energy", Poland (2011) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Laser energy transfer to fast electrons in solid targets |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Laser energy transfer to fast electrons in solid targets |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | |
Results and Impact | Visitor : Invited talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Progress in laser driven ion source development |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presenter : Public lecture/debate/seminar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |