Laser-initiated primary and secondary nuclear reactions in Boron-Nitride

Abstract

Nuclear reactions initiated by laser-accelerated particle beams are a promising new approach to many applications, from medical radioisotopes to aneutronic energy production. We present results demonstrating the occurrence of secondary nuclear reactions, initiated by the primary nuclear reaction products, using multicomponent targets composed of either natural boron (B) or natural boron nitride (BN). The primary proton-boron reaction (p + 11B → 3 α + 8.7 MeV), is one of the most attractive aneutronic fusion reaction. We report radioactive decay signatures in targets irradiated at the Elfie laser facility by laser-accelerated particle beams which we interpret as due to secondary reactions induced by alpha (α) particles produced in the primary reactions. Use of a second nanosecond laser beam, adequately synchronized with the short laser pulse to produce a plasma target, further enhanced the reaction rates. High rates and chains of reactions are essential for most applications.

Avalanche boron fusion by laser picosecond block ignition with magnetic trapping for clean and economic reactor

“…Another point of research will be the extraordinary increased HB11 fusion gains [8,9,47] as basis of the unique avalanche reaction. It should be mentioned that the expression 'avalanche' or 'chain' reaction was used first in the publications submitted in the same months [9,38] .…”

“…[9,47] but under more general conditions including natural boron containing also the isotope 10 B. The side reaction of the alphas with 11 B is to produce 14 C resulting neutrons carrying 5 × 10 −6 of the energy of the alphas of Equation (1).…”

High-current stream of energetic α particles from laser-driven proton-boron fusion

“…On the contrary, Labaune et al [22,49], who worked at an even higher laser intensity (6 × 10 18 W/cm 2 ) and comparable pulse energy (of the order of 10 J), does not report increased energies in the α spectra, in spite of proton energies up to about 6 MeV. In this experiment, however, the colliding protons and boron ions originated from two different targets; in particular, the laser-accelerated proton beam interacted with a secondary boron target, in the form of a solid or plasma, "far" from its target of origin.…”

Properties of Quantum Beams and Their Applications

“…Further development of laser acceleration, especially those related to extremely short high intensity laser, will ultimately allow realization of dream energy, nuclear fusion (Labaune et al, 2016). Laser acceleration will enable many promising applications.…”