Simulations of hot electron transport in the radiation-ablated plasmas

Abstract

Abstract The transport of hot electrons in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is integrated problem due to the coupling of hydrodynamic evolution. Here a hot electron transport code is developed and coupled to the radiation hydrodynamic code MULTI1D. Using the code, the hot electron beam slowing-down and ablation processes are simulated. The ablation pressure scaling law of hot electron beams is confirmed in our simulations. We attempt to simulate the hot electron transport in the condition of indirect drive ICF, where the spatial profile of hot electron energy deposition is presented around the compressed region. It is shown the hot electron can prominently increase the total ablation pressure in the early phase of radiation-ablated plasmas. So, our studies suggest a potential driven asymmetry mechanism may occur due to irradiation of asymmetry energetic hot electron beam. The possible degradation from the hot electron transport and preheating is also discussed.