Nonlinear Structure of the Diffusing Gas-Metal Interface in a Thermonuclear Plasma
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PhysRevLett.113.145001.pdf
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461.9 KB
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Author(s)
Molvig, Kim
Vold, Erik L.
Dodd, Evan S.
Wilks, Scott C.
Date Issued
October 2014
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
American Physical Society
Citation
Molvig, Kim, Erik L. Vold, Evan S. Dodd, and Scott C. Wilks. "Nonlinear Structure of the Diffusing Gas-Metal Interface in a Thermonuclear Plasma." Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 145001 (October 2014). © 2014 American Physical Society
Version
Final published version
Abstract
This Letter describes the theoretical structure of the plasma diffusion layer that develops from an initially sharp gas-metal interface. The layer dynamics under isothermal and isobaric conditions is considered so that only mass diffusion (mixing) processes can occur. The layer develops a distinctive structure with asymmetric and highly nonlinear features. On the gas side of the layer the diffusion coefficient goes nearly to zero, causing a sharp “front,” or well defined boundary between mix layer and clean gas with similarities to the Marshak thermal waves. Similarity solutions for the nonlinear profiles are found and verified with full ion kinetic code simulations. A criterion for plasma diffusion to significantly affect burn is given.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.145001
