Inertial Confinement Fusion and Laser-Driven Hydrodynamics
Naval Research Laboratory, DC, Plasma Physics
This program focuses on theory and simulation of laser-matter interaction, especially as it pertains to Inertial Fusion Energy research. Modeling of laser-plasma interaction experiments as well as laser direct-drive fusion energy targets are currently done with a massively parallel radiation-hydrodynamics transport code. Current research topics include the seeding and growth of hydrodynamic instabilities in ablating plasmas, laser-plasma instability control, equation-of-state models, nonlocal thermal conduction, and particle and radiation transport methods.