Laser Hole Boring into Overdense Plasma and Relativistic Electron Currents for Fast Ignition of ICF Targets

A. Pukhov and J. Meyer-ter-Vehn
Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 2686 – Published 6 October 1997
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Abstract

Laser hole boring and relativistic electron transport into plasma of 10 times critical density is studied by means of 2D particle-in-cell simulation. At intensities of I0λ2=1020Wcm2μm2, a channel 12λ deep and 3λ in diameter has formed after 200 laser cycles. The laser driven electron current carries up to 40% of the incident laser power. When penetrating the overdense region, it breaks up into several filaments at early times, but is channeled into a single magnetized jet later on. These features are essential for fast ignition of targets for inertial confinement fusion (ICF).

  • Received 28 April 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.2686

©1997 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. Pukhov and J. Meyer-ter-Vehn

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 79, Iss. 14 — 6 October 1997

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