August 8, 2024
The company Focused Energy (FE) is pursuing the proton fast ignition approach for commercial laser-driven inertial fusion energy. Proton fast ignition separates the assembly phase of high-density inertial fusion fuel from its subsequent ignition phase with a proton beam, which provides higher fusion gains and more robust implosions. The fuel compression is achieved by a spherically distributed configuration of high-energy, nanosecond laser beams. A key scientific risk in laser-driven fusion is the excitation of laser-plasma instabilities (LPI), which can reduce energy coupling, compromise drive uniformity, and might affect the compression of the target because of hot electron preheating. In this INFUSE project FE will partner with leading LPI experts at the University of Rochester (UR) for performing LPI simulations for FE’s target compression design. The project will use state of-the-art LPI simulation codes to investigate various LPI mechanisms and hot electron generation and their mitigation by applying lasers with broad spectral bandwidth. LPI is a significant issue for direct drive and the UR modeling capability and their world’s leading experts in direct-drive LPI simulations will help FE in exploring LPI mitigation techniques, especially the use of broad bandwidth laser light. The outcome will inform FE on the requirements for the suppression of LPI, which then will feedback on the design of the laser system.