A predictive inline model for nonlinear stimulated Raman scattering in a hohlraum plasma

In this Letter, we introduce a new inline model for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), which runs on our radiation hydrodynamics code TROLL. The modeling follows from a simplified version of a rigorous theory for SRS, which we describe, and accounts for nonlinear kinetic effects. It also accounts for the SRS feedback on the plasma hydrodynamics. We dubbed it PIEM because it is a fully PredIctivE Model, no free parameter is to be adjusted \textit{a posteriori}~in order to match experimental results. PIEM predictions are compared against experimental measurements performed at the Ligne d'Int\'egration Laser. From these comparisons, we discuss PIEM ability to correctly catch the impact of nonlinear kinetic effects on SRS

Harmonic decomposition to describe the nonlinear evolution of stimulated Brillouin scattering

An efficient method to describe the nonlinear evolution of stimulated Brillouin scattering(SBS) in long scale-length plasmas is presented in the limit of a fluid description. The method is based on the decomposition of the various functions characterizing the plasma into their long- and short-wavelength components. It makes it possible to describe self-consistently the interplay between the plasmahydrodynamics,stimulated Brillouin scattering, and the generation of harmonics of the excited ion acoustic wave(IAW). This description is benchmarked numerically in one and two spatial dimensions [one dimensional (1D), two dimensional (2D)], by comparing the numerical results obtained along this method with those provided by a numerical code in which the decomposition into separate spatial scales is not made. The decomposition method proves to be very efficient in terms of computing time, especially in 2D, and very reliable, even in the extreme case of undamped ion acoustic waves. A novel picture of the SBS nonlinear behavior arises, in which the IAWharmonics generation gives rise to local defects appearing in the density and velocity hydrodynamics profiles. Consequently, SBS develops in various spatial domains which seem to be decorrelated one from each other, so that the backscattered Brillouin light is the sum of various backscatteredwaves generated in several independent spatial domains. It follows that the SBSreflectivity is chaotic in time and the resulting time-averaged value is significantly reduced as compared to the case when the IAWharmonics generation and flow modification are ignored. From the results of extensive numerical simulations carried out in 1D and 2D, we are able to infer the SBSreflectivity scaling law as a function of the plasma parameters and laser intensity, in the limit where the kinetic effects are negligible. It appears that this scaling law can be derived in the limit where the IAWharmonics generation is modeled simply by a nonlinear frequency shift

Kinetic effects in stimulated Brillouin scattering

The role of ion and electron kinetic effects in the nonlinear evolution of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is investigated by means of particle-in-cell numerical simulations. The simulations were carried out in one and two spatial dimensions (1D and 2D), with a full PIC code, in which both ions and electrons are kinetic. The full PIC simulations are compared with those obtained from a hybrid PIC code (kinetic ions and Boltzmann electrons), making it possible to determine in which limit the electron kinetic effects are important. The simulation geometry corresponds to a coherent laser beam interacting with an expanding plasma slab. In the 1D simulations, the interaction becomes incoherent, as time goes on, in a domain that spatially begins in the plasma region close to the laser light entrance, and that ends within the plasma at a frontier which moves faster than the ion acoustic wave (IAW) velocity. The higher the laser intensity, the faster moves the frontier of this spatial domain. The SBS reflectivity drops at the very moment when this domain fills entirely the plasma. Two regimes have to be distinguished. In the regimes of low laser intensity, strong sub-harmonic generation of the excited IAW is observed to take place in this moving spatial domain, so that the SBS reflectivity drop is interpreted as being due to sub-harmonic generation. In the opposite regime of high laser intensity, there is no evidence of strong sub-harmonic generation, whereas a strong ion heating is observed, so that the reflectivity drop is interpreted as being due to enhanced ion damping. In the 1D simulations the electron kinetic effects are found to be able to smooth temporally the SBS reflectivity, although the overall picture remains the same when the electrons are taken as a Boltzmann fluid. In the 2D simulations, the SBS reflectivity is observed to drop rapidly in time because of the efficient nonlinear Landau damping on the ions, as previously reported by Cohen et al. [1]. In these 2D simulations, the electron kinetic effects are found to play a negligible role as compared with the ion kinetic effects

Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

Enhancement and control of laser wakefields via a backward Raman amplifier

International audienceThe Backward Raman Amplifier (BRA) is proposed as a possible scheme for improving laser driven plasma wakefields. One- and two-dimensional particle-in-cell code simulations and a 3-Wave coupling model are presented and compared to demonstrate how the BRA can be applied to the laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA) in the non-relativistic regime to counteract limitations such as pump depletion and diffraction. This article provides a discussion on optimal parameters for the combination of BRA and LWFA and a prescription for a BRA pump frequency chirp to ensure coupling beyond the particle dephasing limit. Simulation results demonstrate a reduction or alleviation of the effects of diffraction and an increase in wake amplitude and sustainability and provide direct insights into new methods of controlling plasma wakes in LWFA and other applications

Kinetic effects in stimulated Brillouin scattering

The role of ion and electron kinetic effects in the nonlinear evolution of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is investigated by means of particle-in-cell numerical simulations. The simulations were carried out in one and two spatial dimensions (1D and 2D), with a full PIC code, in which both ions and electrons are kinetic. The full PIC simulations are compared with those obtained from a hybrid PIC code (kinetic ions and Boltzmann electrons), making it possible to determine in which limit the electron kinetic effects are important. The simulation geometry corresponds to a coherent laser beam interacting with an expanding plasma slab. In the 1D simulations, the interaction becomes incoherent, as time goes on, in a domain that spatially begins in the plasma region close to the laser light entrance, and that ends within the plasma at a frontier which moves faster than the ion acoustic wave (IAW) velocity. The higher the laser intensity, the faster moves the frontier of this spatial domain. The SBS reflectivity drops at the very moment when this domain fills entirely the plasma. Two regimes have to be distinguished. In the regimes of low laser intensity, strong sub-harmonic generation of the excited IAW is observed to take place in this moving spatial domain, so that the SBS reflectivity drop is interpreted as being due to sub-harmonic generation. In the opposite regime of high laser intensity, there is no evidence of strong sub-harmonic generation, whereas a strong ion heating is observed, so that the reflectivity drop is interpreted as being due to enhanced ion damping. In the 1D simulations the electron kinetic effects are found to be able to smooth temporally the SBS reflectivity, although the overall picture remains the same when the electrons are taken as a Boltzmann fluid. In the 2D simulations, the SBS reflectivity is observed to drop rapidly in time because of the efficient nonlinear Landau damping on the ions, as previously reported by Cohen et al. [1]. In these 2D simulations, the electron kinetic effects are found to play a negligible role as compared with the ion kinetic effects