High-yield and high-angular-fluence neutron generation from deuterons accelerated by laser-driven collisionless shock

Huang, Chengkun; Broughton, David Paul; Palaniyappan, Sasikumar; Junghans, Sylvia Ann; Iliev, Metodi; Reinovsky, Robert Emil; Favalli, Andrea

doi:10.1063/5.0075960

High-yield and high-angular-fluence neutron generation from deuterons accelerated by laser-driven collisionless shock

Journal Article · Tue Jan 11 04:00:00 EST 2022 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0075960· OSTI ID:1859902

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Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Since a bright collimated neutron source is an essential tool for global security missions and fundamental scientific research. In this paper, we study a compact high-yield and high-angular-fluence neutron source particularly suitable for high-energy neutron applications utilizing the breakup reaction of laser-driven deuterons in a ⁹Be converter. The neutron generation scaling from such a reaction is used to guide the choice and optimization of the acceleration process for bulk ions in a low density CD₂ foam. In particular, the collisionless shock acceleration mechanism is exploited with proper choice in the laser and target parameter space to accelerate these ions toward energies above the temperature of the distribution. Particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo simulations are coupled here to investigate this concept and possible adverse effects as well as the contribution from the surface ions accelerated and the optimal converter design. The simulation results indicated that our design can be a practical approach to increase both the neutron yield and angular fluence of laser-driven neutron sources, reaching >10¹¹ neutron/pulse (or >10⁸ neutron/J) and >10¹¹ neutron/sr (or >10⁸ neutron/sr/J) with present-day kJ-class high-power lasers. Such developments will advance fundamental neutron science, high precision radiography, and other global security applications with laser-driven sources.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1859902

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1839320

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-21-30009

Journal Information:: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 120; ISSN 0003-6951

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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