A review of Vlasov-Fokker-Planck numerical modeling of inertial confinement fusion plasma

  • Authors:

  • A. G. R. Thomas;M. Tzoufras;A. P. L. Robinson;R. J. Kingham;C. P. Ridgers;M. Sherlock;A. R. Bell

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK;Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK;The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK and Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computational Physics
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

The interaction of intense lasers with solid matter generates a hot plasma state that is well described by the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equation. Accurate and efficient modeling of the physics in these scenarios is highly pertinent, because it relates to experimental campaigns to produce energy by inertial confinement fusion on facilities such as the National Ignition Facility. Calculations involving the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equation are computationally intensive, but are crucial to proper understanding of a wide variety of physical effects and instabilities in inertial fusion plasmas. In this topical review, we will introduce the background physics related to Vlasov-Fokker-Planck simulation, and then proceed to describe results from numerical simulation of inertial fusion plasma in a pedagogical manner by discussing some key numerical algorithm developments that enabled the research to take place. A qualitative comparison of the techniques is also given.