Development of multi-scale simulation tools for laser-plasma interactions and their validation against fusion experiments

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This proposal describes a unique program of research that aims to involve Canada in, and to contribute toward, the first demonstration of ignition in controlled nuclear fusion using ultra powerful lasers (so-called inertial confinement fusion). Bringing fusion, the energy of the stars, to earth has been attempted for several decades because of its promise to provide sustainable energy with acceptable waste. Facilities now exist worldwide where ignition the release of more energy than used to create the implosion may become a reality.******The program of research funded by this proposal aims to build on international collaboration to accelerate the development of the technology, our ability to understand and predict in detail the processes occurring in the fusion targets, and to train personnel in the relevant technical areas. The specific areas targeted by the research are based on two key developments that are thought necessary for the future success of inertial confinement fusion: (1) the development of computer codes that describe the interplay between processes occurring over vastly different time and length scales (multi-scale models), and (2) the thoughtful testing of these multiple-scale models against experiments that have been carefully designed and diagnosed for the purpose. ******Fusion targets are compressed to the high temperatures and densities required for nuclear fusion by intense laser beams. However, the target is not stable and a high degree of control over the “push” provided by the laser beams is required to keep the target sufficiently spherical as it is compressed. Under this program, several strategies will be pursued that will investigate modifications to the laser that will both improve the control over the “push” and improve the target's stability. This will be achieved by improving the propagation and absorption of the intense laser light in the blow off from the surface of the fusion target. Several complex and nonlinear processes exist in this region (with names such as “cross-beam energy transfer”, “two-plasmon decay”, and “stimulated Raman scattering”) they are the source of the mixing of time and length scales. This improvement in control may be sufficient to permit the first laboratory demonstration of ignition in a nuclear fusion experiment. Such a demonstration will profoundly influence energy strategies worldwide and impact Canada******Initially, this work will begin by using state-of-the-art numerical tools developed at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), in Rochester, NY. New models will be added as they are developed by individual projects under this program. The results of these investigations will motivate, and be tested against experiments performed through collaborative efforts at the LLE, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA), and the US Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, D.C.).