Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is an approach to fusion that relies on the inertia of the fuel mass to provide confinement. To achieve conditions under which inertial confinement is sufficient for efficient thermonuclear burn, a capsule (generally a spherical shell) containing thermonuclear fuel is compressed in an implosion process to conditions of high density and temperature. ICF capsules rely on either electron conduction (direct drive) or x rays (indirect drive) for energy transport to drive an implosion. In direct drive, the laser beams (or charged particle beams) are aimed directly at a target. The laser energy is transferred to electrons by means of inverse bremsstrahlung or a variety of plasma collective processes. In indirect drive, the driver energy (from laser beams or ion beams) is first absorbed in a high‐Z enclosure (a hohlraum), which surrounds the capsule. The material heated by the driver emits x rays, which drive the capsule implosion. For optimally designed targets, 70%–80% of the d...

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Development of the indirect‐drive approach to inertial confinement fusion and the target physics basis for ignition and gain

The advent of ultraintense laser pulses generated by the technique of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) along with the development of high-fluence laser materials has opened up an entirely new field of optics. The electromagnetic field intensities produced by these techniques, in excess of ${10}^{18}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, lead to relativistic electron motion in the laser field. The CPA method is reviewed and the future growth of laser technique is discussed, including the prospect of generating the ultimate power of a zettawatt. A number of consequences of relativistic-strength optical fields are surveyed. In contrast to the nonrelativistic regime, these laser fields are capable of moving matter more effectively, including motion in the direction of laser propagation. One of the consequences of this is wakefield generation, a relativistic version of optical rectification, in which longitudinal field effects could be as large as the transverse ones. In addition to this, other effects may occur, including relativistic focusing, relativistic transparency, nonlinear modulation and multiple harmonic generation, and strong coupling to matter and other fields (such as high-frequency radiation). A proper utilization of these phenomena and effects leads to the new technology of relativistic engineering, in which light-matter interactions in the relativistic regime drives the development of laser-driven accelerator science. A number of significant applications are reviewed, including the fast ignition of an inertially confined fusion target by short-pulsed laser energy and potential sources of energetic particles (electrons, protons, other ions, positrons, pions, etc.). The coupling of an intense laser field to matter also has implications for the study of the highest energies in astrophysics, such as ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, with energies in excess of ${10}^{20}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. The laser fields can be so intense as to make the accelerating field large enough for general relativistic effects (via the equivalence principle) to be examined in the laboratory. It will also enable one to access the nonlinear regime of quantum electrodynamics, where the effects of radiative damping are no longer negligible. Furthermore, when the fields are close to the Schwinger value, the vacuum can behave like a nonlinear medium in much the same way as ordinary dielectric matter expanded to laser radiation in the early days of laser research.

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Optics in the relativistic regime

Plasma-surface modification (PSM) is an effective and economical surface treatment technique for many materials and of growing interests in biomedical engineering This article reviews the various common plasma techniques and experimental methods as applied to biomedical materials research, such as plasma sputtering and etching, plasma implantation, plasma deposition, plasma polymerization, laser plasma deposition, plasma spraying, and so on The unique advantage of plasma modification is that the surface properties and biocompatibility can be enhanced selectively while the bulk attributes of the materials remain unchanged Existing materials can, thus, be used and needs for new classes of materials may be obviated thereby shortening the time to develop novel and better biomedical devices Recent work has spurred a number of very interesting applications in the biomedical field This review article concentrates upon the current status of these techniques, new applications, and achievements pertaining to biomedical materials research Examples described include hard tissue replacements, blood contacting prostheses, ophthalmic devices, and other products

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Plasma-surface modification of biomaterials

Part I. Astronomical Background: 1. High energy astrophysics - an introduction 2. The stars and stellar evolution 3. The galaxies 4. Clusters of galaxies Part II. Physical Processes: 5. Ionisation losses 6. Radiation of accelerated charged particles and bremsstrahlung of electrons 7. The dynamics of charged particles in magnetic fields 8. Synchrotron radiation 9. Interactions of high energy photons 10. Nuclear interactions 11. Aspects of plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics Part III. High Energy Astrophysics in our Galaxy: 12. Interstellar gas and magnetic fields 13. Dead stars 14. Accretion power in astrophysics 15. Cosmic rays 16. The origin of cosmic rays in our galaxy 17. The acceleration of high energy particles Part IV. Extragalactic High Energy Astrophysics: 18. Active galaxies 19. Black holes in the nuclei of galaxies 20. The vicinity of the black hole 21. Extragalactic radio sources 22. Compact extragalactic sources and superluminal motions 23. Cosmological aspects of high energy astrophysics Appendix References Index.

High Energy Astrophysics

http://absimage.aps.org/image/DAMOP12/MWS_DAMOP12-2012-000066.pdf

Optics in the Relativistic Regime

Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena, Volume II presents interpretations of the physical basis of shockwaves and high-temperature hydrodynamic phenomena and gives practical guidance to those who work with these subjects in science and modern technology.

This volume contains chapters discussing such topics as the shockwave structure in gases; physical and chemical kinetics in hydrodynamic processes; the radiative phenomena in shock waves and in strong explosions in the air; thermal waves and shockwaves in solids; and self-similar processes in gasdynamics.

Physics of shock waves and high-temperature hydrodynamic phenomena

: Contents: Elements of gas dynamics and classical theory of shock waves; thermal radiation and radiant heat exchange in a medium; thermodynamic properties of gases at high temperatures; shock tubes; absorption and emission of radiation in gases at high temperatures; speed of relaxation processes in gases; structure of front of shock waves in gases; physico-chemical kinetics in hydrodynamic processes; light phenomena in shock waves and during strong explosion in air; thermal waves; shock waves in solids; certain self-similar processes in gas dynamics.

Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena

Lightning Physics and Lightning Protection presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review of lightning, including its hazards and protection techniques. The authors first discuss the effectiveness of conventional protective measures, supply technical advice and practical recommendations, and explore the prospects for the preventive control of a lightning leader, followed by a discussion of the initiation of a leader and return stroke and subsequent components. After including measurements useful for understanding lightning and its effects, the book describes the mechanism of lightning discharge processes. It then examines the effects of large aircraft, high-voltage lines, and other high-altitude constructions on lightning trajectory and leader attraction. The book concludes by studying the action of lightning's electrical and magnetic fields and the lightning current on industrial premises, power transmission lines, underground communications, aircraft and their electrical circuits, and the induction of a dangerous overvoltage.A clear, straightforward, and systematic presentation of complicated material, Lightning Physics and Lightning Protection provides deep insight into the physics of lightning, simple analytical estimates, and a detailed illustration of effects by computer simulation, making this resource essential for those who investigate lightning phenomena and who have to solve practical protection problems.

Lightning Physics and Lightning Protection

Basic Principals of the RF Capacitive Discharge Excitation of an RF Discharge Electron Motion in an Oscillating Electric Field Electrodynamic Plasma Characteristics and Interaction with Oscillating Field Electron Production and Loss: Plasma Maintenance A Simplified Model of the RF Discharge Constant Positive Plasma Potential Stochastic Heating of Electrons RF Discharge Modes Moderate-Pressure RF Discharge Space Charge Sheaths Experimental Current-Voltage Characteristics CVC and Normal Current Densities in the a-Discharge (Theory and Numerical Simulation) The a-g Transition Parameters The y-Discharge The a-g Transition at Moderate and Low Pressures Coexistence of Two RF Modes in the Gap High-Pressure RF Capacitive Discharges RF Discharge with Coated Electrodes Low-Pressure RF Discharges and Asymmetry Effects Self-Bias in an Asymmetric Capacitively Coupled Discharge Correlations Between Plasma and Sheath Parameters in an Ambipolar Diffusion-Controlled Discharge Sheath Dynamics and Current Anharmonicity in an Asymmetric Discharge Current Anharmonicity in Asymmetric and Symmetric Discharges Battery Effect in an Asymmetric Discharge Plasma 'Nontransparency' and Fast Electron Response to RF Field and 'Oscillationless' Sheath Ions The Floating Potential The a-Sheath The Energy Spectrum of Ions Bombarding the Electrode Surface RF Discharge in Electronegative Gases Smooth a-g Transition and the g Mode Some Aspects of Stochastic Heating of Electrons Numerical Simulation of Low-Pressure RF Discharges Magnetron RF Discharge Experimental Methods and Measurements Voltage Measurements and Current-Voltage Characteristics Probe Measurement of Constant Space and Plasma Potentials Active DC Probing of an RF Discharge A Method for Studying the Transverse Discharge Structure Optical Methods for the Study of Spatial Discharge Structure Laser-Induced Fluorescence and Laser-Optogalvanic Spectroscopy Excitation and Control of an RF Discharge Application of RF Capacitive Discharges for Gas Laser Excitation and Plasma Technology RF Discharge and Gas Lasers: A Brief History Arguments in Favor of RF Laser Excitation Frequency Dependence of Discharge and Active Laser Medium Parameters Selection of Designs and Parameters of Transverse RF-Excited CO2 Lasers with Diffusional Cooling Optical Resonators of Waveguide and Slab RF CO2 Lasers High Flowrate CO2 Lasers Excited by RF and Combined RF-DC Discharges Lasers with Alternative Active Media Magnetic Stabilization of Slab Discharges Plasmachemical Technology References Index

Yu. P. Raizer

Papers

Physics of shock waves and high-temperature hydrodynamic phenomena

Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena

Lightning Physics and Lightning Protection

Radio-Frequency Capacitive Discharges

Elements of Gasdynamics And the Classical Theory of Shock Waves