Inverse bremsstrahlung absorption rate for super-Gaussian electron distribution functions including plasma screening.

We provide analytic expressions for the effective Coulomb logarithm for inverse bremsstrahlung absorption which predict significant corrections to the Langdon effect and overall absorption rate compared to previous estimates. The calculation of the collisional absorption rate of laser energy in a plasma by the inverse bremsstrahlung mechanism usually makes the approximation of a constant Coulomb logarithm. We dispense with this approximation and instead take into account the velocity dependence of the Coulomb logarithm, leading to a more accurate expression for the absorption rate valid in both classical and quantum conditions.

The impact of low-mode symmetry on inertial fusion energy output in the burning plasma state.

Indirect Drive Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have achieved a burning plasma state with neutron yields exceeding 170 kJ, roughly 3 times the prior record and a necessary stage for igniting plasmas. The results are achieved despite multiple sources of degradations that lead to high variability in performance. Results shown here, for the first time, include an empirical correction factor for mode-2 asymmetry in the burning plasma regime in addition to previously determined corrections for radiative mix and mode-1.

Design of the first fusion experiment to achieve target energy gain G>1.

In this work we present the design of the first controlled fusion laboratory experiment to reach target gain G>1 N221204 (5 December 2022) [Phys. Rev. Lett.

Intensity of focused waves near turning points.

A wave near an isolated turning point is typically assumed to have an Airy function profile with respect to the separation distance. This description is incomplete, however, and is insufficient to describe the behavior of more realistic wave fields that are not simple plane waves. Asymptotic matching to a prescribed incoming wave field generically introduces a phase front curvature term that changes the characteristic wave behavior from the Airy function to that of the hyperbolic umbilic function.