Optimal Uses of Magnetic Fields for Indirect-Drive Inertial Fusion

Executive Summary

We will study the relative benefits of imposing magnetic fields of various topologies on indirect-drive fusion designs using modeling and experiments at the Omega and National Ignition Facilities. The reduced hotspot energy loss and expected mitigation of hydrodynamic instabilities could increase both the absolute fusion performance as well as robustness and reproducibility, in support of high energy density science, fusion energy, and stockpile stewardship missions.

Publications, Presentations, and Patents

Blagoje Djordjevic,“Integrated radiation-magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of magnetized burning plasmas” (Poster presentation, 12th Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications Meeting, Denver, CO., Sept. 25-29, 2023). 

Sam O’Neill, et al. “Modeling Burn Physics in Magnetized Inertial Confinement Fusion Plasmas” (Oral presentation,12th Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications Meeting, Denver, CO., Sept. 25-29, 2023). 

Yuan Shi, “Benchmarking magnetized three-wave coupling for laser backscattering” (Invited oral presentation, 51st Anomalous Absorption Conference, Mammoth Lakes, CA, June 18-23, 2023).

Sio, Hong et al. 2023. “Progress on magnetized indirect-drive implosions on NIF and magnetized shock experiments on OMEGA” (Oral presentation, 12th Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications Meeting, Denver, CO, Sept. 25-29, 2023). 

David Strozzi, et al, “Exploring Axial and Other Imposed Magnetic Fields to Improve Layered Hohlraum-Driven Implosions” (Poster presentation, 12th Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications Meeting, Denver, CO, Sept. 25-29, 2023). 

David Strozzi, et al. 2023. “Exploring Axial and Other Imposed Magnetic Fields to Improve Layered Hohlraum-Driven Implosions” (Oral presentation, 51st Anomalous Absorption Conference, Mammoth Lakes, CA, June 18-23, 2023).