Effects of hydrogen concentration in ablator material on stimulated Raman scattering, two-plasmon decay, and hot electrons for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

Year: 2023

Authors: Kawasaki K., Cristoforetti G., Idesaka T., Hironaka Y., Tanaka D., Batani D., Fujioka S., Gizzi LA., Hata M., Johzaki T., Katagiri K., Kodama R., Nagatomo H., Matsuo S., Nicolai P., Ozaki N., Sentoku Y., Takizawa R., Yogo A., Yamada H., Shigemori K.

Autors Affiliation: Osaka Univ, Inst Laser Engn, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; INO CNR, Intense Laser Irradiat Lab, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; Univ Bordeaux, Ctr Lasers Intenses & Applicat, CELIA, CEA CNRS,UMR 5107, F-33405 Talence, France; Natl Inst Fus Sci, 332-6 Oroshicho, Toki, Gifu 5095202, Japan; Hiroshima Univ, Grad Sch Engn, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 7398527, Japan; Osaka Univ, Grad Sch Engn, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan; Natl Inst Adv Ind Sci & Technol, Adv Power Elect Res Ctr, Diamond Mat Team, 1-8-31 Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka 5630026, Japan.

Abstract: Laser plasma instabilities, such as stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and two-plasmon decay (TPD), are basic phenomena in intense laser science and applications. In direct-drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) where a fuel capsule is imploded by high-power lasers, SRS and TPD are generally problematic because hot electrons (HEs) generated by SRS and TPD cause fuel preheating, whereas HEs with acceptable energy are expected to contribute to ablation pressure enhancement. In all cases, it is necessary to clarify the occurrence of SRS, TPD, and subsequent HE generation. The ablator of a fuel capsule in direct-drive ICF typically consists of carbon with a variable amount of hydrogen (H). We investigated the H effects in the ablator on SRS, TPD, and HEs under direct-drive ICF conditions at the GEKKO laser facility in planer geometry. The experimental results showed an increase in SRS, TPD, and HEs when H was present in the ablator. The analysis indicated that the variations in plasma inhomogeneity and plasma temperature obtained by H addition were insufficient to explain the observed results. Thus, the enhancement is mainly attributed to the high ion acoustic wave damping driven by the H ions into the plasmas, suggesting that Langmuir decay instability caused SRS saturation, whereas other mechanisms, such as cavitation, could overwhelm the TPD saturation. These results suggest that a suitable choice of H concentration in the ablator is critical for mitigating and controlling the extent of SRS, TPD, and HEs to achieve robust and efficient implosion in direct-drive ICF.

Journal/Review: PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH

Volume: 5 (3)      Pages from: 33051-1  to: 33051-9

More Information: The authors would like to thank the dedicated technical support of the staff at the Institute of Laser Engineering for the laser operation, target fabrication, and plasma diagnostics. This paper was conducted with support and under the auspices of the NIFS Collaboration Research Program (No. 2021NIFS21KUGK136). This paper was also supported by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science, KAKENHI Grant No. JP22J22774, and partially supported by a grant from the MEXT Quantum Leap Flagship Program No. JPMXS0118067246.
KeyWords: Diamond-like Carbon; Langmuir Decay; Parametric-instabilities; Phase Plates; Films; Saturation; Ignition; Particle; Growth; Lasers
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.033051

Citations: 1
data from “WEB OF SCIENCE” (of Thomson Reuters) are update at: 2024-10-20
References taken from IsiWeb of Knowledge: (subscribers only)
Connecting to view paper tab on IsiWeb: Click here
Connecting to view citations from IsiWeb: Click here