Application of relativistic laser plasmas for the study of nuclear reactions

Tabletop Ti : sapphire lasers, such as the Jena multi-Terawatt laser, can nowadays reach focused intensities of up to 1020 W cm−2. The interaction of this intense light field with a solid target—in our case tantalum—leads to the production of energetic bremsstrahlung x-rays. These are used to induce (γ,n)- and (γ,f)-reactions in 181Ta, 129I, 232Th, 238U and 9Be. The results are discussed in the context of laser plasma diagnostics and photo transmutation studies on radioactive material.We also report on fusion experiments in low-Z targets where the fusion neutrons are utilized to characterize ion acceleration processes.