Physics of Ignition: Collaboration with the National Ignition Facility: Diagnosing Hot-Spot Mix via X-Ray Spectroscopy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Nigel Woolsey (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Colgan J
(2016)
Evidence of high-n hollow-ion emission from Si ions pumped by ultraintense x-rays from relativistic laser plasma
in EPL (Europhysics Letters)
Turnbull D
(2016)
High Power Dynamic Polarization Control Using Plasma Photonics
in Physical Review Letters
Oks E
(2017)
In-depth study of intra-Stark spectroscopy in the x-ray range in relativistic laser-plasma interactions
in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Tubman E
(2017)
Time evolution and asymmetry of a laser produced blast wave
in Physics of Plasmas
Ciricosta O
(2017)
Simultaneous diagnosis of radial profiles and mix in NIF ignition-scale implosions via X-ray spectroscopy
in Physics of Plasmas
Dalimier E
(2017)
X-ray spectroscopy of super-intense laser-produced plasmas for the study of nonlinear processes. Comparison with PIC simulations
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Liu H
(2018)
Cherenkov radiation-based optical fibre diagnostics of fast electrons generated in intense laser-plasma interactions.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Turnbull D
(2018)
Crossed-beam energy transfer: polarization effects and evidence of saturation
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Bradford P
(2018)
EMP control and characterization on high-power laser systems
in High Power Laser Science and Engineering
| Description | During an inertial fusion implosion some material from the shell that contains the fusion fuel of heavy isotopes of hydrogen core can mix with the fuel. Mixing this material in the fuel can stop the fusion reaction. This project attempts to measure how much material mixes, the aim is to improve performance of implosions. By measuring the spectrum of x-rays emitted by the material mixed in the core we can determine how much mixing took place. The refinement of our models also shows that we can glean a lot of information about the temperature and density conditions across the implosion, this includes the hot core of the fuel, the cooler surrounding fuel and the remainder of the shell. Knowledge of shell-fuel will help improve the overall performance by designing targets that could reduce or prevent it. |
| Exploitation Route | There is now a better understanding of mix and this is being used to in the design of target that aim to reduce and ultimately prevent it. Advanced spectroscopic measurements are being applied by York and others to a number of experiments particularly those in harsh environments such as petawatt laser interactions. The outcomes of this work have been taken forward in the form of machine learning techniques, for example by the Oxford and Livermore collaborators. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | Fusion energy research and the inertial confinement fusion approach is a global undertaking, it is a grand challenge for society that has the potential to provide a relatively clean source of energy that can help reduce the potential for conflict. All fusion energy approaches are very difficult and at an experimental stage. Work such as this has helped develop diagnostic or measurement methodologies and helped develop computational approach to data interpretation as well as simulation. As we understand mix better, targets design to reduce and perhaps prevent it will improve. These ideas can be used to deliberately introduce material into the core to diagnose the conditions in the implosion, we used this approach was used in a set of Omega implosions in 2020. Moreover, subsequent to the work presented in this grant, co-workers at Oxford have re-analysed the NIF data using a machine-learning technique. This work gave the similar results for the degree of mix seen in the implosions, and further highlighted the need for a more complex and refined error analysis approach. This grant has led to York continuing working inertial fusion and establishing new collaborations. The group has been awarded funding from EPSRC and EuroFusion. It is led to new collaboration with LLNL, University of Rochester (LLE), STFC(CLF), Warwick and teams within Europe through EUROfusion. This EUROfusion consortium is lead by the Universite Bordeaux (CELIA) and focuses on direct drive physics and the shock ignition approach to ICF. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy |
| Description | EAB ASAIL project |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | UK Fusion Strategy |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-security-bill-factsheets/energy-security-bill-fact... |
| Description | LLNL Academic Partnerships in ICF (Moody) |
| Amount | $460,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| 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 | 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 | LLNL Academic Partnerships in ICF (Moody) |
| Organisation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Proposed a science case to the NIF directorate in collaboration with Dr John Moody. Will lead to a new project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration which will involve extensive use of NIF facilities. |
| Impact | Student recruitment in progress. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| 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 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 |
| Description | High-foot Implosion Workshop (March 22-24, 2016) |
| 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 | Engagement at work shop, discussion and provide evidence. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://e-reports-ext.llnl.gov/pdf/820074.pdf |