ePLAS model developments for short pulse interaction studies

Summary form only given. We outline new features and recent applications of ePLAS, an implicit/hybrid simulation model in use for Fast Ignition. The code tracks light to the critical surface in laser targets, and treats the generation hot electrons and their subsequent transport and deposition in the background target plasma. The light is typically at ~1020 W/cm
²
intensities, delivered in picosecond pulses, pushing with a ponderomotive force. Within a target energy is principally transported by PIC particle relativisitic electrons. The background plasma is modeled as a Van Leer Eulerian fluid with flux limited cold electron thermal conductivity. The E- and ^-fields are determined by the Implicit Moment Method, permitting extremely efficient calculations, with speedy testing of multiple options - even on a PC. New code additions include improved cylindrical modeling, multiple laser beams for ion focusing studies, EOS additions for Z modification as targets absorb energy, and a ID sub-code for fundamental light absorption studies. The targets have been foils, cone targets, and cone and nail-headed wires of CD, aluminum and copper.