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A model laser-compression experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

J. E. Crow
Affiliation:
Atlas Computer Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire
I. J. Spalding
Affiliation:
UKAEA Cuiham Laboratory, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
J. A. Wesson
Affiliation:
UKAEA Cuiham Laboratory, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Extract

The compression of plasmas by laser beams to produce a significant thermonuclear energy requires very sophisticated experimental techniques and equipment, costing millions of dollars. We review here comparatively simple techniques which should permit a time-resolved demonstration of an isentropic density compression, using low-powered lasers of a type commonly encountered in university research laboratories, and diagnostic equipment of modest cost. Althoughthermonuclear burn cannot be investigatedwith such simple apparatus, many aspects of flux-limited thermal transport, light absorption, and end-effects (i.e. intensity assymmetries) could be conveniently and quantitatively investigated.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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