Applied Mathematics Agora

Speakers:     Horst Hahn, Material Science & Engineering, University of Arizona   
                       Samuel McLaren, Computational Laser Physicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 

Title:         Challenges and opportunities at the confluence of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) and applied math (AM): The IFE-AM Agora

Abstract:   The Agora, a central public space in Ancient Greece, served as a platform for citizens to engage in political, philosophical, and social discourse. In the "Applied Mathematics Agora", we aim to recreate this spirit of open discussion. This gathering is designed for AM GIDP students, affiliates, friends, and anyone interested in exploring thought-provoking topics in mathematics and its applications. The extreme temperatures and pressures within stars provide the conditions for nuclear fusion of atoms into more complex elements. Mimicking stellar fusion on earth would be a transformative technology with some estimates that nuclear fusion power could increase global GDP by $68 trillion to $175 trillion. Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) which triggers fusion by compressing and heating fuel filled targets is a leading approach to achieving commercially viable fusion power. In 2022 researchers at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at LLNL achieved a milestone on the road to practical fusion by producing more energy from the fusion of the target than laser energy input to it (3.15 megajoules of energy from 2.05 megajoule input of laser light). Significant scientific and engineering challenges remain before IFE is commercially viable. Improved theory, modeling and hardware is needed to understand and mitigate laser plasma instabilities that decrease the energy gain of ICF. Integrated system models are needed to design fusion power plants accounting for supply chain considerations, physical performance of sub components and environmental and economic risks during operation. Methodologies from Applied Mathematics can help tackle these daunting challenges. Exascale computing can enable running IFE simulations at finer length and timescales to better model high compression IFE implosions whose experimental results currently differ significantly from simulation. Machine learning and deep learning can be trained to serve as surrogate models increasing the efficiency of multiphysics simulations and assisting the optimization of IFE components like the target geometry and material composition. In a commercial fusion power plant computer vision could assist quality control by classifying targets for material defects and physics based algorithms could optimize laser pulse timing based on fusion performance data for similar targets.  Towards this end, the SM-AM Agora will provide a platform for discussing current and future challenges and opportunities that underlie Inertial Fusion Energy, and how the field of applied math can enable transformative changes in this regard. Specifically, the discussion at this Agora will include topics such as (i) introduction to fusion energy (ii) materials modeling and inertial confinement fusion (iii) fusion power plant design (iii) nonlinear optics (iv) beam modeling codes.

Short talks by Horst and Samuel will be followed by an open discussion and Q&A session. If you would like to secure a brief slot for contributions, objections, comments, please let us know in advance. And, of course, everyone is welcome to join the spontaneous conversation as we go along. The event will be followed by a social happy hour at Lindy’s.