Dr Mufei Luo

Abstract:

Autoresonant phase locking of the plasma wakefield to the beat frequency of two driving lasers offers advantages over conventional wakefield acceleration methods, since it requires less demanding laser parameters and is robust to variations in the target plasma density. Here, we investigate the kinetic and nonlinear processes that come into play during autoresonant plasma beat-wave acceleration of electrons, their impact on the field amplitude of the accelerating structure, and on acceleration efficiency. Particle-in-cell simulations show that the process depends on the plasma density in a nontrivial way but can be reliably modeled under specific conditions. Beside recovering previous fluid results in the deeply underdense plasma limit, we demonstrate that robust field excitation can be achieved within a fully kinetic self-consistent modeling. By adjusting the laser properties, we can amplify the electric field to the desired level, up to wave breaking, and efficiently accelerate particles; we provide suggestions for optimized laser and plasma parameters. This versatile and efficient acceleration scheme, producing electrons from tens to hundreds of MeV energies, holds promise for a wide range of applications in research industry and medicine.

Abstract:

Abstract:

Abstract:

A European consortium of 15 laboratories across nine nations have worked together under the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants for the past decade with three principle objectives. These are: (a) investigating obstacles to ignition on megaJoule-class laser facilities; (b) investigating novel alternative approaches to ignition, including basic studies for fast ignition (both electron and ion-driven), auxiliary heating, shock ignition etc.; and (c) developing technologies that will be required in the future for a fusion reactor. The Hooke discussion meeting in March 2020 provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in inertial confinement fusion research world-wide to date. This first edition of two special issues seeks to identify paths forward to achieve high fusion energy gain. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)'