A multi-MeV alpha particle source via proton-boron fusion driven by a 10-GW tabletop laser

Istokskaia, Valeriia; Tosca, Marco; Giuffrida, L.; Pšikal, J.; Grepl, Filip; Kantarelou, Vasiliki; Stanček, S.; Siena, Sabrina Di; Hadjikyriacou, Arsenios; McIlvenny, Aodhan; Lévy, Yoann; Huynh, Jaroslav; Cimrman, Martin; Pleskunov, Pavel; Nikitin, Daniil; Шукуров, А. Х.; Belloni, F.; Picciotto, Antonino; Kar, S.; Borghesi, M.; Lucianetti, Antonio; Mocek, Tomáš; Margarone, D.

doi:10.1038/s42005-023-01135-x

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The total energy of the three produced alphas is also 8.7 MeV and the energy spectrum of the produced alphas is continuum, with a maximum value of approximately 6 MeV [8,12,56]. This fact could be a good argument for the interpretation of the experimental results on alpha particle production of [19,57] and [20,21] at PALS laser facility, where the measured alpha energy achieved values of 4.5 MeV-5 MeV. However the measured alpha spectra, varies between the aforementioned experiments, due to the different experimental conditions and setups, so there is no a clear conclusion.…”

Section: Jinst 19 C01015mentioning

confidence: 79%

Alpha heating and avalanche effect simulations for low density proton-boron fusion plasma

Moustaizis,

Daponta,

Eliezer

et al. 2024

J. Inst.

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The initial interest in p-11B fusion, which produces three (3) alpha particles with total energy of 8.7 MeV, was regained the last few years, due to the important experimental measurements on alpha particle production and theoretical and numerical investigations. The re-evaluation of proton-boron fusion, as an important vector for “aneutronic” energy production, is based on the consideration of the “chain reactions alpha heating effect and the related avalanche effect”, as the important process, for the increase of the fusion species (p, 11B) temperatures, to temperatures corresponding to the optimump-11B fusion cross sections. Investigation of ignition and self-sustained conditions for low density (∼ 1020 m-3) proton-boron fusion plasmas is an interesting study topic for application in magnetic confinement. We use a multi-fluid, global particle and energy balance code, describing the temporal evolution of the physical parameters of the fusion medium, as a function of the initial conditions of density and temperature of the fusion species (p, 11B). For the establishment of the distinct contribution role of the avalanche effect in proton-boron fusion, we explore cases of low (<100 keV) and high (>100 keV) initial p-11B medium temperatures. For these temperature cases, density ratios np /nB > 1 between the fusion species (p, 11B) are considered, for the optimization of Bremsstrahlung radiation losses. Simulations using the multi-fluid code in a low density p-11B medium with np /nB > 1, enable the evaluation of the initial temperatures range, which is necessary for the temporal increase of the alpha density, the rapid improvement in the p-11B fusion reaction rate (RR), the temperature rise of the fusion species (p, 11B) and the achievement of higher than 1 Q (Pf /P Brems) values, due to the manifestation of the avalanche effect.In the case of high initial fusion medium temperatures in the range: 150 keV ≤ T in ≤ 350 keV, the chain reactions alpha heating effect and the related avalanche effect contribute to the maintenance and the rise of the fusion species (p, 11B) temperature to high values, for ignition and self-sustained fusion (Q > 1).

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Section: Jinst 19 C01015mentioning

confidence: 79%

Alpha heating and avalanche effect simulations for low density proton-boron fusion plasma

Moustaizis,

Daponta,

Eliezer

et al. 2024

J. Inst.

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“…PERLA–B is one of the diode-pumped solid state (Yb:YAG) pulsed laser systems developed at the HiLASE Center [ 24 ]. It is a relatively compact laser, which was already successfully used in various applications [ 25 , 26 ]. In the series of experiments reported here, the output pulse energy was controlled using a combination of a

/2 wave plate and a pair of thin film polarizers.…”

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highly Regular LIPSS on Thin Molybdenum Films: Optimization and Generic Criteria

et al. 2023

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A systematic experimental study was performed to determine laser irradiation conditions for the large-area fabrication of highly regular laser-induced periodic surface structures (HR-LIPSS) on a 220 nm thick Mo film deposited on fused silica. The LIPSS were fabricated by scanning a linearly polarized, spatially Gaussian laser beam at 1030 nm wavelength and 1.4 ps pulse duration over the sample surface at 1 kHz repetition rate. Scanning electron microscope images of the produced structures were analyzed using the criterion of the dispersion of the LIPSS orientation angle (DLOA). Favorable conditions, in terms of laser fluence and beam scanning overlaps, were identified for achieving DLOA values <10∘. To gain insight into the material behavior under these irradiation conditions, a theoretical analysis of the film heating was performed, and surface plasmon polariton excitation is discussed. A possible effect of the film dewetting from the dielectric substrate is deliberated.

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“…The optimized interaction at 1 kHz (4.6 mJ on target) has demonstrated a cut-off energy of the proton signal at 179±9 keV. This is a promising result since these energies allow to access the secondary resonance of proton-boron fusion (~150 keV), a path to ultra-compact, multi-MeV alpha-particle sources 18 .…”

Section: Ion Diagnosticsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Liquid jet target system for laser-plasma interactions at kHz repetition rate

Gamaiunova,

Tryus,

Grepl

et al. 2023

Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions VII

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We have developed a compact liquid target setup that produces a continuous ø50 µm cylindrical water jet, capable of operating at high vacuum. It has been tested with a commercial ultrashort-pulse laser in a series of proof-of-principle laser-driven ion acceleration and x-ray generation experiments at repetition rates up to 1 kHz. In optimized conditions, measurements by the time-of-flight (TOF) method have demonstrated a proton signal cut-off energy of 179±9 keV. The laser-generated x-ray emission was characterized in the range 2-36 keV and used as excitation for x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) measurements.

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A multi-MeV alpha particle source via proton-boron fusion driven by a 10-GW tabletop laser

Cited by 11 publications

References 52 publications

Alpha heating and avalanche effect simulations for low density proton-boron fusion plasma

Alpha heating and avalanche effect simulations for low density proton-boron fusion plasma

Highly Regular LIPSS on Thin Molybdenum Films: Optimization and Generic Criteria

Liquid jet target system for laser-plasma interactions at kHz repetition rate

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