A New Technique for Fast Characterization of Intense Laser-Plasma Simulations

POSTER

Abstract

Many experiments in high energy density physics require modeling with high-resolution, long time scale Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations, such as the interaction of ultra-intense laser pulses with mm sized targets currently studied for their relevance to fast ignition fusion. These PIC simulations can take weeks to run on modern-day supercomputers. Using the PIC code LSP we have found that simply by doubling the wavelength and adjusting the intensity of the laser we can produce physically meaningful results while reducing the run time by a factor of eight. We find the basic phenomena preserved and consistent numerical instabilities, allowing inexpensive and fast development at low resolution before performing high-resolution simulations at the correct wavelength and intensity. We treat two examples using a laser incident on mm-scale targets: a slab with pre-plasma and a cone-wire target.

Authors

  • Robert Mitchell

    The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210

  • Chris Orban

    The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210

  • Vladimir Ovchinnikov

    The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210

  • Douglass Schumacher

    The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210

  • Dale Igram

    Cornell University, Air Force Research Labs, The Center for Photochemical Sciences and Department of Physics, BGSU, Department of Physics, BGSU, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ball State University, Miami University, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, Mainz, Germany, Martin-Luther-Universitat, Halle, Germany, The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210, USA, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA, Ohio Northern University, The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, OH 43210, Sciprint.org, Ball State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802