Tunable proton stopping power of deuterium-tritium by mixing heavy ion dopants for fast ignition

• Published in: High energy density physics Vol. 18; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Zou, D.B., Hu, L.X., Wang, W.Q., Yang, X.H., Yu, T.P., Zhang, G.B., Ouyang, J.M., Shao, F.Q., Zhuo, H.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-03-2016
• Subjects: Ion driven fast ignition; Ion driven fast ignition
• ISSN: 1574-1818; 1878-0563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hedp.2015.10.003

The theoretical model of charged-particle stopping power for the Coulomb logarithm lnΛb ≥ 2 plasma [Phys. Rev. Lett., 20, 3059 (1993)] is extended to investigate the transport of the energetic protons in a compressed deuterium-tritium (DT) pellet mixed with heavy ion dopants. It shows that an increase of mixed-ion charge state and density ratio results in the substantial enhancement of the proton stopping power, which leads to a shorter penetration distance and an earlier appearance of the Bragg peak with a higher magnitude. The effect of hot-spot mix on the proton-driven fast ignition model is discussed. It is found that ignition time required for a small mixed hot-spot can be significantly reduced with slightly increased beam energy. Nevertheless, the ignition cannot maintain for a long time due to increasing alpha-particle penetration distance and energy loss from mechanical work and thermal conduction at high temperatures.