An improved and fully implicit multi-group non-local electron transport model and its validations

The combined effect of thermal flux inhibition and non-local electron heat flux in the radiation hydrodynamics (RHD) simulation of laser-driven systems can be accurately predicted by using non-local electron transport (NLET) models. These models can avoid commonly used space and time-independent ad-hoc flux-limiting procedures. However, the use of classical electron collision frequency in these models is rigorously valid for high temperature non-degenerate plasmas. In laser-driven systems, the electron thermal energy transport is important in regions between the critical density and ablation surface where the plasma is partially degenerate. Therefore, an improved model for electron collision frequency in this regime is required to accurately predict the thermal energy transport. Previously, we have reported an improved single group non-local electron transport model by using a wide-range electron collision frequency model valid from warm-dense matter (WDM) to fully ionized plasmas. In this work, we have extended this idea into a two-dimensional multi-group non-local electron transport (MG-NLET) model. Moreover, we have used a fully implicit numerical integration scheme in which the models for multi-group thermal radiation transport, laser absorption, electron-ion thermal energy relaxation and ion heat conduction are included in a single step. The performance of this improved MG-NLET model has been assessed by comparing the simulated foil trajectories with the reported experimental data for laser-driven plastic foils. The results indicate that the improved model yields results that are in better agreement with the experimental data.