Hot Electron Divergence Analysis in Particle-in-Cell Simulations and Comparison with OMEGA Experiments

Eli Borwick, MS Defense

Hopeman 224

Laser plasma interaction (LPI) can have significant effects in inertial confinement fusion implosions. Hot electron generation due to LPI instabilities can cause preheat and decrease optimal compression of the fuel. We performed PIC simulations using laser and plasma conditions from hydro simulations of an OMEGA experiment (Yakkobi et al. Phys. Plasmas 20, 092706 (2013)) where hot electron divergence was measured. The simulations showed few hot electrons were generated under the given hydro conditions, which were just below the thresholds for stimulated Raman scattering and two plasmon decay. Artificial increases in electron temperature and laser intensity produced significant hot electrons. Additionally, a newly developed diagnostic for OSIRIS showed significant hot electron divergence when they were present, agreeing with the experiment.