The Physics of Inertial Fusion: Beam Plasma Interaction, Hydrodynamics, Hot Dense Matter (International Series of Monographs on Physics) [Hardcover]

Stefano Atzeni (Author), Jï¿1/2rgen Meyer-ter-Vehn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198562640 | ISBN-13: 978-0198562641 | Publication Date: August 12, 2004

This book is on inertial confinement fusion, an alternative way to produce electrical power from hydrogen fuel by using powerful lasers or particle beams. Two huge laser facilities are presently under construction to show that this method works. It involves the compression of tiny amounts (micrograms) of fuel to thousand times solid density and pressures otherwise existing only in the centre of stars. Thanks to advances in laser technology, it is now possible to produce such extreme states of matter in the laboratory. Recent developments have boosted laser intensities again with new possibilities for laser particle accelerators, laser nuclear physics, and fast ignition of fusion targets. This is a reference book for those working on beam plasma physics, be it in the context of fundamental research or applications to fusion energy or novel ultra-bright laser sources. The book combines quite different areas of physics: beam target interaction, dense plasmas, hydrodynamic implosion and instabilities, radiative energy transfer as well as fusion reactions. Particular attention is given to simple and useful modeling, including dimensional analysis and similarity solutions. Both authors have worked in this field for more than 20 years. They want to address in particular those teaching this topic to students and all those interested in understanding the technical basis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`... of extraordinary interest ...an excellent and profound treatment of the subject. ' R.M. Bock, GSI Darmstadt

`... will certainly become the predominant reference book in inertial confinement fusion. A truly remarkable work.' Ray E. Kidder, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

About the Author

Stefano Atzeni is Professor of Physics in the Dipartimento di Energetica, Universit� di Roma "La Sapienza" and INFM, Italy. J�rgen Meyer-ter-Vehn is Professor of Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Garching, and at the Technical University of Munich, Germany.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198562640
• ISBN-13: 978-0198562641
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,908,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of ICF physics., June 16, 2010

By 

A. I. Haque - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Physics of Inertial Fusion: Beam Plasma Interaction, Hydrodynamics, Hot Dense Matter (International Series of Monographs on Physics) (Paperback)

This book provides and excellent description of the necessary physics of inertial fusion. However, it is not for beginers. A solid understanding of hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, andstatistical mechanics is required in order to understand several chapters. The necessary nuclear physics is described in the first chapter. The book has many excellent plots. Advanced topics such as fast ignition are also covered. The book is a valuable resource for experimentalists and computational scientists working in this field.

The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because no description is given of the simulation codes used to generate results in the book. The authors' journal articles have that information and so you will need to look them up.