α-particle stopping and electron-ion energy relaxation in highly compressed ICF fuel

Abstract

We compare calculations for the energy loss of α-particles and the electron-ion energy transfer rate in high-density hydrogen plasmas at conditions similar to the compressed main fuel in ICF targets. Different models, which do and do not account for collective effects and electron degeneracy, are considered. It is shown that quantum degeneracy in the cold fuel significantly lowers the energy deposition of the α-particles at the high densities of ICF targets. Electron degeneracy is also important for the electron-ion energy transfer where collective modes can play an important role as well.