A moment method for calculating the transport of energetic charged particles in hot plasmas

A moment method is derived for the transport of energetic ions in an infinite homogeneous hot plasma, in the absence of electromagnetic fields. Within the framework of the continuous-slowing-down approximation, the Fokker-Planck equation is solved rigorously for plane and point sources. Angular flux and scattering anisotropy are correctly taken into account. Calculated results are presented for protons and deuterons slowing down in boron hydride plasmas for several source energies and temperatures. Comparisons with available Monte-Carlo results have been made in the case of 3.5-MeV alpha-particle transport in high-density D-T plasmas. Very good agreement has been achieved. (author)