Fast Electron Generation in Cones with Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses Page: 4 of 21
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I. Introduction
While the basic idea for Fast Ignition (FI) driven Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is
straightforward in concept, the actual realization of the technique, and particularly the injection
of igniter laser, relies upon a fundamental understanding of many complex physics issues,
ranging from laser-plasma interactions at high fields to high current charge transport through
dense plasmas. For example, the mechanisms governing laser light conversion into energetic
electrons (in number, energy and direction) must be measured and understood in order to provide
accurate scaling for laser driver development. The design of the fuel assembly in the target must
take into account the need for protecting the igniter laser path from the implosion plasma, thus
all but demanding the inclusion of a cone within the target.2 Notably both the effect of the cone
on the implosion as well as the implosion on the cone must be understood3, the subsequent
interaction with the igniter laser must be modeled in detail. Finally, the physics of the electron
transport process from the generation point near the cone tip to the compressed fuel core needs
full characterization.4
Because it is likely that initial large scale FI laser systems will consist of multiplexing multiple
laser beams with modest f-numbers, techniques for combining beams in a coherent fashion to
deliver the laser light energy onto the fuel in a diameter of approximately 30 to 40 pm will be
needed.5 Until such techniques are developed and demonstrated, cones will likely be called upon
to provide assistance in concentrating the ignition laser light onto the fuel. There have been
several recent studies on the interaction of intense light with cones and cone-like structures.
These include geometric effects via simulations and experiments.614
This paper discusses our recent explorations in laser-cone interactions. Section II describes the
experimental setup and relevant parameters. Section III presents experimental results for Ka2
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Mackinnon, A.; VanWoerkom, L.; Akli, K.; Bartal, T.; Beg, F.; Chawla, S. et al. Fast Electron Generation in Cones with Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses, article, December 7, 2007; Livermore, California. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc894713/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.