Prof Peter Norreys FInstP;

Abstract:

Modern high-power lasers can generate extreme states of matter that are relevant to astrophysics, equation-of-state studies and fusion energy research. Laser-driven implosions of spherical polymer shells have, for example, achieved an increase in density of 1,000 times relative to the solid state. These densities are large enough to enable controlled fusion, but to achieve energy gain a small volume of compressed fuel (known as the 'spark') must be heated to temperatures of about 108 K (corresponding to thermal energies in excess of 10 keV). In the conventional approach to controlled fusion, the spark is both produced and heated by accurately timed shock waves, but this process requires both precise implosion symmetry and a very large drive energy. In principle, these requirements can be significantly relaxed by performing the compression and fast heating separately; however, this 'fast ignitor' approach also suffers drawbacks, such as propagation losses and deflection of the ultra-intense laser pulse by the plasma surrounding the compressed fuel. Here we employ a new compression geometry that eliminates these problems; we combine production of compressed matter in a laser-driven implosion with picosecond-fast heating by a laser pulse timed to coincide with the peak compression. Our approach therefore permits efficient compression and heating to be carried out simultaneously, providing a route to efficient fusion energy production.

Abstract:

The VULCAN [C. N. Danson et al., Opt. Commun. 103, 392 (1993)] laser at the UK Central Laser Facility is being used for laboratory-based simulations of collisionless shocks. By ensuring that key dimensionless parameters in the experiments have values similar to those of supernova remnants (SNRs), the hydrodynamics and magnetic field of the experiment are scaled to those of a SNR. This makes it possible to investigate experimentally the physics of collisionless magnetized shocks in such objects. The experiments are providing data against which to test current theory. Collisionless shock formation and the interaction of two counterpropagating colliding plasmas permeated by a strong magnetic field are discussed. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

The generation of MeV electron and ion beams using lasers with intensities of up to 1020 W cm-2 is reported. Intense ion beams with high energies (up to 40 MeV and to 3 × 1012 protons >5 MeV) are observed. The properties of these particle beams were measured in considerable detail and the results are compared to current theoretical explanations for their generation. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.