Fast ignition by laser-driven carbon beams

Abstract

Two-dimensional simulations of ion beam driven fast ignition are presented. Ignition energies of protons with Maxwellian spectrum and carbon ions with quasi-monoenergetic and Maxwellian energy distributions are evaluated. It is found that quasi-monoenergetic ions have better coupling with the compressed Deuterium-Tritium and substantially lower ignition energies. These energies are similar to those found for relativistic electrons, provided that a laser to quasi-monoenergetic carbon ion conversion efficiency around 10% can be achieved. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.