Fluid Modeling for High Energy Density States Created with High Velocity Plasmas

Inertial fusion seeks to produce fusion reactions by creating plasmas of extremely high density and using inertia to contain momentarily the extreme pressure generated by the fusion burning plasma. Simulation is the main tool for understanding High Energy Density Physics (HEDP), but all current codes lack either some of the physics required for complete modeling or computational techniques necessary for high-performance computing. This project will use an existing parallel code framework to extend the fluid modeling from the hydrodynamics (HD) to the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) regime. In Phase I, a number of MHD numerical algorithms will be evaluated in terms of physical accuracy, numerical efficiency, and multi-dimensionality. The algorithm that appears best suited for the fusion application will be implemented in the code framework and tested with data relevant to the magnetized target fusion experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond fusion energy, the improved computational modeling should have application to simulations of high-speed beams of plasma traveling away from a variety of astrophysical sources