Computational Analysis of the Magnetic Intervention Concept for First Wall Protection from Energetic Ions in a Direct Drive Laser Fusion Chamber

Energetic ions are produced in the thermonuclear explosion of a target in a direct drive laser-driven inertial fusion energy systems. These ions will be deposited in the first wall of the chamber, potentially leading to degradation of the surface. The magnetic intervention concept imposes a cusp magnetic field on the chamber, directing the ions to dump regions where their energy can be removed from the system. A computational assessment is carried out to examine the exchange of ion energy with the applied magnetic field and to determine the both the ion energy spectrum of the escaping ions and the dimensions of the escape regions.