Publications Details

Exploring magnetized liner inertial fusion with a semi-analytic model

Mcbride, Ryan; Slutz, Stephen A.; Vesey, Roger A.; Gomez, Matthew R.; Sefkow, Adam B.; Hansen, Stephanie B.; Knapp, P.F.; Schmit, Paul; Geissel, Matthias; Harvey-Thompson, Adam J.; Jennings, Christopher A.; Harding, Eric H.; Awe, Thomas J.; Rovang, Dean C.; Hahn, Kelly; Martin, Matthew R.; Cochrane, Kyle; Peterson, K.J.; Rochau, G.A.; Porter, John L.; Stygar, William A.; Campbell, Edward M.; Nakhleh, Charles W.; Herrmann, Mark C.; Cuneo, Michael E.; Sinars, Daniel

In this study, we explore magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) [S. A. Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010)] using a semi-analytic model [R. D. McBride and S. A. Slutz, Phys. Plasmas 22, 052708 (2015)]. Specifically, we present simulation results from this model that: (a) illustrate the parameter space, energetics, and overall system efficiencies of MagLIF; (b) demonstrate the dependence of radiative loss rates on the radial fraction of the fuel that is preheated; (c) explore some of the recent experimental results of the MagLIF program at Sandia National Laboratories [M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)]; (d) highlight the experimental challenges presently facing the MagLIF program; and (e) demonstrate how increases to the preheat energy, fuel density, axial magnetic field, and drive current could affect future MagLIF performance.