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High-current stream of energetic α particles from laser-driven proton-boron fusion.
- Source :
-
Physical review. E [Phys Rev E] 2020 Jan; Vol. 101 (1-1), pp. 013204. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- The nuclear reaction known as proton-boron fusion has been triggered by a subnanosecond laser system focused onto a thick boron nitride target at modest laser intensity (∼10^{16}W/cm^{2}), resulting in a record yield of generated α particles. The estimated value of α particles emitted per laser pulse is around 10^{11}, thus orders of magnitude higher than any other experimental result previously reported. The accelerated α-particle stream shows unique features in terms of kinetic energy (up to 10 MeV), pulse duration (∼10 ns), and peak current (∼2 A) at 1 m from the source, promising potential applications of such neutronless nuclear fusion reactions. We have used a beam-driven fusion scheme to explain the total number of α particles generated in the nuclear reaction. In this model, protons accelerated inside the plasma, moving forward into the bulk of the target, can interact with ^{11}B atoms, thus efficiently triggering fusion reactions. An overview of literature results obtained with different laser parameters, experimental setups, and target compositions is reported and discussed.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2470-0053
- Volume :
- 101
- Issue :
- 1-1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Physical review. E
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32069635
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.101.013204