Integrated Simulations of Targets for Fast Ignition with Proton Beams

(0.8 mg of DT at 400 g/cm) has been derived from the energy balance of an hypothetical power plant [2]. Secondly, self-consistent 2D radiation hydrodynamic simulations with MULTI [3, 4] allows us to define and optimize a HIB-driven hohlraum target, as well as to determine the minimum PB energy ( 33 kJ) needed to ignite the asymmetrically compressed fuel. Thermonuclear ignition and burn is now included in the simulations; the predominant reaction D + T → n + α is considered, neutrons are assumed to escape, while α particle energy is transported kinetically. Fig. 2 shows the ignition process; the beam (coming from above) produces a hot spot with temperature up to 20 keV and a complex hydrodynamic motion that induces a density hole (ρ 100 g/cm) in the compressed core. The energy yield is 83 MJ.