Investigating the Role of Nonlocal Transport and Laser-Plasma Instabilities in Inertial Confinement Fusion – Plasma Strand Project

Supervisors: Christopher Ridgers (University of York) and Robbie Scott (STFC)

Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) has recently achieved ignition, and the next major step is achieving high-gain implosions. However, current simulation tools lack the predictive accuracy needed to reliably design such experiments. A key limitation is the treatment of non-local thermal transport, where heat-carrying electrons travel distances comparable to plasma scale lengths – invalidating standard fluid models.

We have developed the K2/Gorgon code, which solves the full Vlasov-Fokker-Planck (VFP) equation, enabling accurate modeling of non-local transport in integrated ICF simulations. This PhD project will use K2/Gorgon to investigate how non-local transport interacts with laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) – an area that remains largely unexplored.

This interaction is especially relevant in two critical regions: the corona of direct-drive implosions and the laser entrance hole in indirect-drive hohlraums. In both cases, hot, low-density plasma makes non-local effects significant and potentially alters how laser energy is deposited via cross-beam energy transfer (CBET).

We will use a newly implemented CBET model in K2/Gorgon to study how modified plasma conditions – and the underlying electron distribution functions – impact energy transfer. While this project will focus on CBET, future extensions could include other LPIs in collaboration with code developers.

You will gain: skills in kinetic plasma physics, including Vlasov-Fokker-Planck modeling; experience using and developing high-performance simulation codes (K2/Gorgon); understanding of laser-plasma instabilities and their role in ICF; training in high-performance computing (HPC) and numerical methods; opportunities to work closely with experimental and theoretical teams at major international fusion laboratories such as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

The project will be mainly based in York, but there is the opportunity for travel to conferences and collaborations with other groups, particularly at LLNL and AWE.

During the first six months of the PhD, students will typically travel to undertake taught modules at all of the Fusion CDT partner universities.

This project is offered by University of York. For further information please contact: Christopher Ridgers (christopher.ridgers@york.ac.uk).

This project may be compatible with part time study, please contact the project supervisors if you are interested in exploring this.

For details on how to apply, please visit: Apply

Image above: Electrons at 2-3x the thermal speed carry the heat and these can have a long mean free path, making the heat flow nonlocal.