Hydrodynamic motion of guiding elements within a magnetic switchyard in fast ignition conditions

Abstract

Magnetic collimation via resistivity gradients is an innovative approach to electron beam control for the cone-guided fast ignition variant of inertial confinement fusion. This technique uses a resistivity gradient induced magnetic field to collimate the electron beam produced by the high-intensity laser–plasma interaction within a cone-guided fast ignition cone-tip. A variant of the resistive guiding approach, known as the “magnetic switchyard,” has been proposed which uses shaped guiding elements to direct the electrons toward the compressed fuel. Here, the 1D radiation-hydrodynamics code HYADES is used to investigate and quantify the gross hydrodynamic motion of these magnetic switchyard guiding elements in conditions relevant to their use in fast ignition. Movement of the layers was assessed for a range of two-layer material combinations. Based upon the results of the simulations, a scaling law is found that enables the relative extent of hydrodynamic motion to be predicted based upon the material properties of the switchyard, thereby enabling optimization of material-combination choice on the basis of reducing hydrodynamic motion. A multi-layered configuration, more representative of an actual switchyard, was also simulated in which an outer Au layer is employed to tamp the motion of the outermost guiding element of the switchyard.