Electron thermal transport in laser-target plasmas on the basis of Grad's 13-moment transport equations

Abstract

Grad's 13-moment theory is used to model thermal transport in laser-produced plasmas where conditions are such that one may not assume that the plasma is collision-dominated. The equations are presented for a multi-fluid model in slab geometry and are solved numerically for various cases. Comparisons are made with classical theory and with simulations of collisionless plasmas. Results show that, although there are differences between 13-moment and classical predictions, the two theories agree on the general behaviour of the plasma. In particular, 13-moment theory fails to explain the heat-flux inhibition implied by some experimental observations. The theory has also been applied to model thermal transport in plasmas with a population of suprathermal electrons.