Thermal conduction in laser fusion

Abstract

The treatment of thermal conduction in the context of laser-driven fusion is examined critically. Expressions are given for electron and ion conductivity and for electron-ion equilibration after a discussion of the applicability of pre-existent formulations, supplemented by some new analysis, to the relevant density-temperature regime which includes Fermi degeneracy (with some judicious interpolation where the theories fail). The sensitivity of the fusion calculations to these considerations is illustrated by comparing the history of a typical laser-pellet interaction computer with the present coefficients and with the classical Spitzer set.