Fundamental factors affecting thermonuclear ignition

Recent inertial confinement fusion experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have improved performance and interpretability. These results help us address hydrodynamic efficiency, pusher adiabat, tamping, and hot-spot confinement as they pertain to criteria for ignition. We present requirements for propagating burn that are stringent compared to existing literature. The effects of the pusher adiabat on the energy partition for the cold and hot DT are addressed, as well as the persistent discrepancy between the observed and simulated neutron down scattering ratio. The required energy for achieving ignition on NIF and paths forward to optimize or increase the capsule yields for given laser energy are also discussed.

Automated summary

Recent inertial confinement fusion experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have shown improved performance and interpretability, addressing criteria for ignition and presenting more stringent requirements for propagating burn compared to existing literature. The effects of pusher adiabat on energy partition and the persistent discrepancy between observed and simulated neutron down scattering ratio were discussed, along with the required energy for achieving ignition on NIF and potential paths forward to optimize capsule yields for given laser energy.