Introductory description

N/A.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. The hierarchy of plasma models from kinetic to fluid and how these interact
2. The basic computational techniques for kinetic plasma simulations:
   a. Particle-in-cell methods, e.g. the EPOCH code
   b. Vlasov-Fokker-Planck models for collisional transport
3. The physics of laser-driven IFE and how this specifies the algorithmic requirements of fluid models
4. Fluid models for IFE compression
   a. Basic Eulerian schemes, their stability and accuracy
   b. Lagrangian models, energy conservation and grid entanglement
   c. Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian schemes
5. Inclusion of advanced physics packages in a fluid code
   a. Thermal conduction
   b. Radiation transport
   c. Multi-material modelling
6. Couple kinetic-fluid models, integrated IFE point design and the importance of UQ in these designs.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Comprehension of the most common algorithms used for modelling plasma physics at the kinetic and fluid limits.
• Understanding of the physics of inertial fusion for power generation.
• Ability to setup and solve kinetic plasma physics problems with the commonly used EPOCH code.
• Familiarity with the basic methods of radiation-hydrodynamics and how to run and interpret 1D simulations of laser-driven pellet implosion.
• Appreciate the issues about uncertainty quantification (UQ) relevant for complex coupled kinetic-fluid models of an inertial fusion pellet point design.

Indicative reading list

Core Algorithms and Methods:
● Birdsall, C. K., and Langdon, A.B. (2004). Plasma physics via computer simulation. CRC press.
● Laney, C. B. (1998). Computational gasdynamics. Cambridge University press.
● Colvin, J., and Larsen, J. (2013). Extreme physics: properties and behavior of matter at extreme conditions. Cambridge University press.
Additional background physics:
● Mihalas, D., and Mihalas, B. W. (2013). Foundations of radiation hydrodynamics. Courier Corporation.
● Zel’Dovich, Y. B., and Raizer, Y. P. (2012). Physics of shock waves and high-temperature hydrodynamic phenomena. Courier Corporation.

Subject specific skills

1. Comprehension of the most common algorithms used for modelling plasma physics at the kinetic and fluid limits.
2. Understanding of the physics of inertial fusion for power generation.
3. Ability to setup and solve kinetic plasma physics problems with the commonly used EPOCH code.
4. Familiarity with the basic methods of radiation-hydrodynamics and how to run and interpret 1D simulations of laser-driven pellet implosion
5. Appreciate the issues about uncertainty quantification (UQ) relevant for complex coupled kinetic-fluid models of an inertial fusion pellet point design.

Transferable skills

Mathematics, UQ, simulation software design