Modified parameterization of the Li-Petrasso charged-particle stopping power theory

Abstract

Charged-particle energy loss or "stopping power" in plasmas has been studied theoretically and experimentally, with important applications in modeling fusion experiments. Dense plasmas relevant to inertial fusion are theoretically challenging, but several models have been developed. Here, we report several physically motivated modifications to the parameterization of the Li-Petrasso stopping-power model. The new parameterization described in this work leads to larger discrepancies between the Li-Petrasso model and both other theories and experimental data near the Bragg peak for plasma stopping, corroborating recent conclusions that the Li-Petrasso model is not accurate in this regime [Frenje et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 015002 (2019)]. Conversely, our modified parameterization agrees better with other theories in the high-velocity limit.