Laser Plasma Theory and Simulation

110 Pages·1994·9.699 MB·\110

by  Hector A. Baldis (Author)

Laser Plasma Theory
and Simulation
Laser Science and Technology
An International Handbook
EditorsinChief
V. S. LETOKHOV, Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences,
142092 Moscow Region, Troitsk, Russia
C. V. SHANK, Director, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University ofCalifornia,
Berkeley, California 94 720, USA
Y. R. SHEN, Department ofPhysics, UniversityofCalifornia, Berkeley, California
94 720, USA
H. WALTHER, Max-Planck-Institut fur Quantenoptik und Sektion Physik,
Universitat Miinchen, D-8046 Garching, Germany
This book is part of a series. The publisher will accept continuation orders which
may be cancelled at any time and which provide for automatic billing and shipping
ofeachtitle inthe series uponpublication. Please writefordetails.
Laser Plasma Theory
and Simulation
Kunioki Mirna, *Hector A. Baldis, Akio Nishiguchi
Hideaki Takabe and **Chiyoe Yamanaka
Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University
*LULi, Ecole Polytechnique
**Institute for Laser Technology, Osaka, Japan
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ISBN-I 3: 978-3-7 I 86-5489-5 (pbk)
ISBN-13: 978-1-138-45579-5 (hbk)
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Laser plasma theory and simulationiKunioki Mima ... let al.l.
p. cm. - (Laser science and technology; v. 17)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 3-7186-5489-X
I. Laser fusion. 2. Plasma dynamics. I. Mirna, Kunioki
II. Series.
QC791.775.L37L37 1994 94-29281
621.36'6----dc20 CIP
CONTENTS
Introduction to the Series vii
Preface ix
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Laserplasmas 1
1.2 Criticalelements forlaserf sion and related plasmacorona physics 2
2. Plasma CoronaPhysics 5
2.1 Collisional absorption 5
2.2 Resonance absorption 10
2.3 Parametric instabilities intheplasmacorona 19
2.3.1 Introd ction 19
2.3.2 Sim latedRaman scattering (SRS) 21
2.3.3 Twoplasmon decay (TPD) 24
2.3.4 Stim latedBrillo in scattering (SBS) 27
2.3.5 Interactionbetweeninstabilities 29
3. EnergyTransport 31
3.1 Hotelectron generation andfastion 31
3.2 Electron heattransport 36
3.2.1 Classicalheattransport theory 36
3.2.2 Heatfl x limitation 39
3.2.3 Kinetic effects onheattransport 40
3.2.4 Fokker-Planck sim lation 42
3.3 Radiationheattransport 49
3.3.1 Introd ction 49
3.3.2 Radiation transportkinetics 50
3.3.3 Co pling ofradiationwith matter 59
3.3.4 Average ion model 62
3.3.5 Rateeq ation 66
3.3.6 Collisionalradiative model 74
3.3.7 X-ray generationinlaser-heartedhigh-Zplasmas 81
References 85
Index 93
V

Introduction to the Series
Almost 30 years have passed since the laser was invented; nevertheless, the fields
of lasers and laser applications are far from being exhausted. On the contrary,
during the lastfew years they have been developing fasterthan ever. In particular,
various laser systems have reached a state of maturity such that more and more
applications are seen suffusing fields of science and technology, ranging from
fundamentalphysics tomaterials processing andmedicine. Therapid development
and largevarietyoftheseapplications callfor quickand conciseinformationonthe
latest achievements; this is especially important for the rapidly growing inter­
disciplinary areas.
The aim of Laser Science and Technology - An International Handbook is to
provide information quickly on current as well as promising developments in
lasers. It consists of a series of self-contained tracts and handbooks pertinent to
laserscienceand technology. Eachtractstartswitha basicintroductionandgoesas
far as the most advanced results. Each should be useful to researchers looking for
concise information about a particular endeavor, to engineers who would like to
understand the basic facts of the laser applications in theirrespective occupations,
and finally to graduate students seeking an introduction into the field they are
preparing to engage in.
When a sufficient number of tracts devoted to a specific field have been
published, authors will update and cross-reference theirpages forpublication as a
volume ofthe handbook.
All the authors and section editors are outstanding scientists who have done
pioneering work in theirparticularfield.
V. S. Letokhov
C. V. Shank
Y.R. Shen
H. Walther
Vll

Preface
Fusion energy is the most abundantenergy source in the universe. It is the source of
energy inthe sunand stars. Fusionreactions will sustainthe sunfor billions ofyears
tocome andprovide the energy forall lifeonEarth.Fusionreactions yieldeighttimes
more energy than fossil fuels perunit mass.
Fusion is thecombining ofnuclei ofhydrogen isotopes toform helium. The waste
product of a fusion reaction, helium, is a non-radioactive, non-toxic and noble gas.
Hydrogenbombsaredeviceswhichliberatefusionenergyin anuncontrolledform,but
the creation of a controlled fusion device for the civil use of fusion energy is
anticipated. However, eventhougha largeamountofenergyis successfullycreatedby
anartificialfusion reaction,a numberoftechnologicaland economicalproblems still
remain. Controlledfusioncurrentlypresentsoneofthegreatestchallengestomankind.
Enthusiastic research and development is now being conducted towards next
century’s fusionreactor.Thereare two approaches: magneticconfinementfusionand
inertialconfinementfusion.Inertial confinementprovideshigh density plasma(more
than 1025 cm-3) for a confinement time of 10-10s, so that the reaction can process
extremely quickly, as amicroexplosion. Thecompression is achievedbythe irradia­
tion oflaserlight orby a flux ofenergetic particles on a fuel shell. The fuel target is
heated tovaporize thesurfacewhichablatesoffata highvelocity,producinga strong
recoil force which compresses the fuel. When thermonuclearconditions are reached
(1,000timesliquiddensity -200 gr/cm3and 100milliondegrees centigrade)thecore
will ignite. While inertial forces hold the compressed fuel, the fusion reaction
propagatesoutward,releasingmuchmoreenergythan wasrequired for compression.
Fusion reactors require highenergy gain from repetitive bums.
The key requirements ofcurrent conceptual designs ofinertial fusion reactors are
modestdimensions, effective liquidmetalheattransportloops andstructural isolation
ofthereactoritself.Theseengineeringfeaturesareveryimportantforthedevelopment
of inertial fusion as a new energy source which is not inferior to magnetic fusion
schemes.
LaserPlasmaTheory andSimulationisthesecondbookin theseriestoaddressthe
subjectoflaserfusion, followingIntroductiontoLaserFusion,volume 10intheLaser
Science and Technology series. The present volume covers recent developments in
laser plasma physics such as absorption, instability, energy transport and radiation
from the standpointoftheory and simulation forplasma corona. Implosion, ignition
andbum will be examined in a forthcoming tract.
Kunioki Mima
Hector. A. Baldis
Akio Nishiguchi
Hideaki Takada
Chiyoe Yamanaka
IX