Self-similar Isochoric Implosions for Fast Ignition
POSTER
Abstract
Fast Ignition (FI) exploits the ignition of a dense, uniform fuel assembly by an external energy source to achieve high gain. However, in conventional ICF implosions, the fuel assembles as a dense shell surrounding a low density, high-pressure hotspot. Such configurations are far from optimal for FI. Here, it is shown that a self-similar spherical implosion of the type studied by Guderley [Luftfahrtforschung 19, 302 (1942).] and later Meyer-ter-Vehn \& Schalk [Z. Naturforsch. 37a, 955 (1982).] may be employed to implode dense, uniform fuel assemblies with minimal energy wastage in forming a hotspot. The connection to “realistic” (i.e., non-self-similar) implosion schemes using laser or X-ray drive is also investigated.
*This work performed under the auspices of the U.S Department of Energy by University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48. Document number: UCRL-ABS-213544.