Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Nigel Woolsey (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Afshari M
(2018)
Semi-analytical approaches to study hot electrons in the shock ignition regime
in Physics of Plasmas
Alraddadi R
(2020)
Improved fast electron transport through the use of foam guides
in Physics of Plasmas
Antonelli L
(2019)
X-ray phase-contrast imaging for laser-induced shock waves
in EPL (Europhysics Letters)
Arran C
(2021)
Proton radiography in background magnetic fields
in Matter and Radiation at Extremes
Arran C
(2023)
Measurement of Magnetic Cavitation Driven by Heat Flow in a Plasma
in Physical Review Letters
Barbato F
(2019)
Propagation-based imaging phase-contrast enhanced imaging setup for single shot acquisition using laser-generated X-ray sources
in Journal of Instrumentation
Barbato F
(2020)
Author Correction: Quantitative phase contrast imaging of a shock-wave with a laser-plasma based X-ray source.
in Scientific reports
Barbato F
(2022)
PhaseX: an X-ray phase-contrast imaging simulation code for matter under extreme conditions.
in Optics express
Barbato F
(2019)
Quantitative phase contrast imaging of a shock-wave with a laser-plasma based X-ray source
in Scientific Reports
Barlow D
(2022)
Role of hot electrons in shock ignition constrained by experiment at the National Ignition Facility
in Physics of Plasmas
| Description | Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions are driven by the rapid removal of material, or ablation, of the outer shell of a spherical capsule containing heavy hydrogen, the fusion fuel. The conservation of momentum accelerates the remaining shell inwards compressing the interior, the fuel, to high density. This works much like the hot propellant launching a rocket. At peak compression the rapid deceleration of the inwards flowing shell and fuel raises the fuel temperature to start thermonuclear reactions. In direct drive ICF a powerful laser ablates the outer shell to drive the compression and generate shock waves. As the laser power and intensity increases this drives waves in the plasma resulting in processes that are detrimental to the implosion and with physics that is not completely understood. These plasma waves waste laser energy by scattering it away from the implosion and generates energetic electrons. These, respectively, reduce the ablation efficiency and preheating the fuel. The laser-plasma interaction details are dependent on the size and temperature of the plasma, conditions that normally need a full size implosion experiment. Our new experimental design enables measurements of these processes on smaller laser systems opening a way to collect much more data to explore this physics and find a way to minimise the energy loses and impact of the energetic electrons. We are in the process of developing x-ray phase contrast imaging techniques for the use with inertial confinement fusion implosions. Initial experiments on non-fusion experiments using bremsstrahlung x-ray sources are very promising. These methods augment the absorption contrast measurements using standard radiography, but utilizing the phase information carried in an x-ray beam to detect regions of rapid change in density, for example at a shock front. We have demonstrated this technique on the Omega and Vulcan lasers in the USA and UK respectively. Some of this work has been published, for example in Physical Review Letters, additional work is being prepared for publication. |
| Exploitation Route | Progress in fusion research, and in this case inertial confinement fusion, is dependent on measurement. These outcomes provide a new platform to enable more experiments and collect more data and a new diagnostic technique to help create a more complete understanding of the outcomes of an experiment. We are optimistic that phase contrast imaging can provide information that is otherwise inaccessible, and with further development of x-ray backlighter sources this can become a very powerful tool. We have applied to EPSRC, with Robbie Scott (STFC) as lead, for a Programme Grant. We have applied to EPSRC, with Simon Bland (IC) as lead, for a Partnership Grant with First Light Fusion. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | There are many impacts including commenting on the BEIS Fusion Regulation Green Paper and Fusion Strategy by highlighting the commonalities and differences between the magnetic and inertial confinement approach to fusion. The development of an Inertial Fusion Roadmap for the UK is complete, and Laser/Inertial Fusion Consortium. This is chaired by Dr Robbie Scott. Our data is being used to refine our understanding of laser plasma instabilities and hot electrons, this information is being used to design new implosion experiments. As we understand implosions and laser-plasma coupling in direct drive approach to inertial confinement fusion better, our predictive modeling of implosions will improve. This will enable the design of implosions that mitigate again, i.e. reduce and hopefully eliminate, physics processes that impair the implosion performance. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | UK Inertial Fusion Consortium |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.inertial-fusion.co.uk/ |
| Description | PLASMA KINETICS, PRE-HEAT, AND THE EMERGENCE OF STRONG SHOCKS IN LASER FUSION |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 1940662 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion |
| Amount | £1,092,538 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P026796/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2017 |
| End | 06/2020 |
| Description | Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion |
| Amount | £107,841 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P026486/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2017 |
| End | 01/2021 |
| Description | EuroFusion - Shock Ignition |
| Organisation | University of Bordeaux |
| Department | Center for Intense Lasers and Applications |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Experimental expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partner leads the project and put together the grant and consortium. |
| Impact | None at present. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Hot electrons and shock studies at SI intensities on OMEGA EP |
| Organisation | University of Bordeaux |
| Department | Center for Intense Lasers and Applications |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributed PDRA and research student time to running the experiment and analysing some of the data. The analysis focuses on extracting the hot electron temperature from Bremsstrahlung measurements. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CELIA: partner were principal investigators on the experiment at Omega EP, they purchased 1 day of access, and will continue to lead/coordinate data analysis and bring the work to publication. LLE: partner own and run Omega EP. |
| Impact | No outputs yet, data is being analysed. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Hot electrons and shock studies at SI intensities on OMEGA EP |
| Organisation | University of Rochester |
| Department | Laboratory for Laser Energetics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contributed PDRA and research student time to running the experiment and analysing some of the data. The analysis focuses on extracting the hot electron temperature from Bremsstrahlung measurements. |
| Collaborator Contribution | CELIA: partner were principal investigators on the experiment at Omega EP, they purchased 1 day of access, and will continue to lead/coordinate data analysis and bring the work to publication. LLE: partner own and run Omega EP. |
| Impact | No outputs yet, data is being analysed. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Role of Laser Plasma Interactions in the Shock Ignition regime |
| Organisation | Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Design, planning and running of an experimental campaign on STFC Vulcan TAWest. We provided expertise, helped run the experiment, take data and involved in data analysis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Principal Investigators. |
| Impact | Completed experiment. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Shock Ignition |
| Organisation | Atomic Weapons Establishment |
| Department | Orion Laser Science Division |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | A collaboration between York, STFC and Warwick has lead to responsive mode submission to EPSRC. The title of the submission is 'Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion: the hydro-kinetic regime' this is currently at panel for ranking. Project partners include the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and University of Rochester, USA, Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA), Université Bordeaux, France and AWE (Orion), UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | AWE - funded PhD at Warwick, provide staff time and computer time to support research effort - in kind value ~£118,000 CELIA - provide staff time, computer access and share of access time to Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) - in-kind value ~ £1,880,000 LLE - collaborate on bidding for experiments, and running experiment, access to facility past shot data for some 200 shots. |
| Impact | A grant application to EPSRC |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Shock Ignition |
| Organisation | University of Bordeaux |
| Department | Center for Intense Lasers and Applications |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A collaboration between York, STFC and Warwick has lead to responsive mode submission to EPSRC. The title of the submission is 'Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion: the hydro-kinetic regime' this is currently at panel for ranking. Project partners include the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and University of Rochester, USA, Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA), Université Bordeaux, France and AWE (Orion), UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | AWE - funded PhD at Warwick, provide staff time and computer time to support research effort - in kind value ~£118,000 CELIA - provide staff time, computer access and share of access time to Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) - in-kind value ~ £1,880,000 LLE - collaborate on bidding for experiments, and running experiment, access to facility past shot data for some 200 shots. |
| Impact | A grant application to EPSRC |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Shock Ignition |
| Organisation | University of Rochester |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A collaboration between York, STFC and Warwick has lead to responsive mode submission to EPSRC. The title of the submission is 'Plasma kinetics, pre-heat, and the emergence of strong shocks in laser fusion: the hydro-kinetic regime' this is currently at panel for ranking. Project partners include the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and University of Rochester, USA, Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA), Université Bordeaux, France and AWE (Orion), UK. |
| Collaborator Contribution | AWE - funded PhD at Warwick, provide staff time and computer time to support research effort - in kind value ~£118,000 CELIA - provide staff time, computer access and share of access time to Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) - in-kind value ~ £1,880,000 LLE - collaborate on bidding for experiments, and running experiment, access to facility past shot data for some 200 shots. |
| Impact | A grant application to EPSRC |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Study of Direct Drive and Shock Ignition for IFE: Theory, Simulations, Experiments, Diagnostics development |
| Organisation | University of Bordeaux |
| Department | Center for Intense Lasers and Applications |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provide expertise in shock ignition. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Principal Investigator. |
| Impact | Development of experiments and numerical methods in the pursuit of fusion energy research. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging of Strong Shocks in Foam Targets |
| Organisation | University of Rochester |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided the experimental concept. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Suypport to enable this work. |
| Impact | Award of facility time. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | X-ray absorption spectroscopy of a titanium wire isochorically heated by laser-accelerated electrons |
| Organisation | University of Zurich |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Planning and prtearing a proposal for facility time |
| Collaborator Contribution | Principal Investigors. Univeristy of Zurich |
| Impact | Collaboration with Univeristy of Zurich. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) on OMEGA EP |
| Organisation | University of Rochester |
| Department | Laboratory for Laser Energetics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | York proposed a new diagnostic approach to the LLE team. We ran the experiment and leading in the data analysis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | LLE partner supported a York led proposal for US national laboratory Laboratory Basic Science funding. This funded 1 day of access to Omega EP and covered the costs of targets. |
| Impact | Successful; experiment with data being analysed right now. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | DOE NNSA ICF hot spot mix working group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | DOE NNSA ICF hot spot mix working group |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |