Characterization of fusion burn time in exploding deuterium cluster plasmas
Exploiting the energetic interaction of intense femtosecond laser pulses with deuterium clusters, it is possible to create conditions in which nuclear fusion results from explosions of these clusters. We have conducted high-resolution neutron time-of-flight spectroscopy on these plasmas and show that they yield fast bursts of nearly monochromatic fusion neutrons with temporal duration as short as a few hundred picoseconds. Such a short, nearly pointlike source now opens up the unique possibility of using these bright neutron pulses, either as a pump or a probe, to conduct ultrafast studies with neutrons.
Zweiback
J
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-477, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
Cowan
TE
Smith
RA
Hartley
JH
Howell
R
Steinke
CA
Hays
G
Wharton
KB
Crane
JK
Ditmire
T