MIT work plan for fast electron stopping in dense and astrophysical plasmas and in DD/DT ice 1 October 2004–30 September 2005 Theoretical Computational Experimental

Recent work has modeled energy transfer and scattering of energetic electrons in dense, hydrogenic plasma e->e scattering is comparable to e->i scattering A simplified Møller (e->e) cross section is obtained Electron linear energy transfer in a plasma is enhanced, and penetration is reduced, by multiple scattering To be published in Phys. Rev. E October, 2004, Li and RP 1 MeV e 300 g/cc 5 keV

Extensions of Theoretical Work (Li) Analytic modeling of the electron longitudinal and lateral distributions ( i.e straggling and beam divergence effects) Study the differences between electron scattering and energy deposition in dense and tenuous plasmas (i.e. relativistic astrophysical jets), and in D2 and DT ice. Using energy desposition calculations, calculate the preheat from hot electrons in D2 and DT ice.

Computational (Cliff Chen, graduate st.) Develop a Monte Carlo code for simulating the interactions of fast electrons with dense hydrogenic plasmas and D2 and DT ice. Use simulations to validate the interaction physics described by the analytic models. Perform simulations to aid in the design, and demonstrate relevance and feasibility, of experiments for testing analytic and numerical models.

Experimental concept of the electron scattering and energy deposition in D2 ice Source Collimator Cryogenic D 2 SBD Detectors  m  

Experimental Use preliminary analytic and Monte-Carlo calculations to design the experiments Determine the characteristics of a suitable electron accelerator and/or electron-emitting radioactive source Determine the optimal detector(s) for performing the experiments