In-target proton–boron nuclear fusion using a PW-class laser

0557501 - FZÚ 2023 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Margarone, Daniele - Bonvalet, J. - Giuffrida, Lorenzo - Morace, A. - Kantarelou, Vasiliki - Tosca, Marco - Raffestin, D. - Nicolai, P. - Picciotto, A. - Abe, Y. - Arikawa, Y. - Fujioka, S. - Fukuda, Y. - Kuramitsu, Y. - Habara, H. - Batani, D.
In-target proton–boron nuclear fusion using a PW-class laser.
Applied Sciences-Basel. Roč. 12, č. 3 (2022), č. článku 1444. E-ISSN 2076-3417
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT EF16_019/0000789
Grant - others:OP VVV - ADONIS(XE) CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000789
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : proton-boron fusion * laser-plasma acceleration * alpha-particle beam
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
Impact factor: 2.7, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access

Nuclear reactions between protons and boron-11 nuclei (p-B fusion) that were used to yield energetic alpha-particles were initiated in a plasma that was generated by the interaction between a PW-class laser operating at relativistic intensities (~3 x 10(19) W/cm(2)) and a 0.2-mm thick boron nitride (BN) target. A high p-B fusion reaction rate and hence, a large alpha-particle flux was generated and measured, thanks to a proton stream accelerated at the target's front surface. This was the first proof of principle experiment to demonstrate the efficient generation of alpha-particles (~10(10)/sr) through p-B fusion reactions using a PW-class laser in the ´in-target´ geometry.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0331467