title: Optimization of the neutron yield in fusion plasmas produced by Coulomb explosions of deuterium clusters irradiated by a petawatt laser.
abstract: The kinetic energy of hot (multi-keV) ions from the laser-driven Coulomb explosion of deuterium clusters and the resulting fusion yield in plasmas formed from these exploding clusters has been investigated under a variety of conditions using the Texas Petawatt laser. An optimum laser intensity was found for producing neutrons in these cluster fusion plasmas with corresponding average ion energies of 14 keV. The substantial volume (1-10 mm(3)) of the laser-cluster interaction produced by the petawatt peak power laser pulse led to a fusion yield of 1.6×10(7) neutrons in a single shot with a 120 J, 170 fs laser pulse. Possible effects of prepulses are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. dws223@physics.utexas.edu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaul
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ditmire
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003903:Deuterium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005107:Explosions; D007834:Lasers; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009502:Neutrons; D009681:Nuclear Fusion; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D003903:Deuterium