Recent progress in heavy ion fusion simulations

Based on the success that simulations have enjoyed in reproducing both theory and experimental measurement, simulation methods have become increasingly accepted for studying the physics of space-charge-dominated beams. Such studies have recently demonstrated the utility of viewing the evolution of space-charge-dominated beams in terms of bounded collective warm-plasma oscillations. Viewing the plasma in this way has not only resulted in simplifying the explanation of experimental data but has also opened the possibility of utilizing th excitation of these modes to tailor space charge dominated beams for optimizing performance of heavy ion fusion drivers.