Generation of superthermal electrons by self-focused Cosh Gaussian laser beams in inertial confinement fusion plasma

Theoretical study on the generation of superthermal electrons by intense laser beams in hot dense plasmas during inertial confinement fusion has been presented. In order to obtain uniform heating of the fuel pellet the irradiance over the beam cross section has been modeled by Cosh Gaussian profile. The effect of self-focusing of the laser beam on energy gained by the electrons has been investigated in detail. Following moment theory and hydrodynamic fluid model of plasma coupled differential equations governing the evolution of beam width of the laser beam and energy of the superthermal electrons have been obtained. It has been observed that the uniformity of the irradiance over the beam cross section enhances the energy of superthermal electrons considerably.