Repetitive Generation of 2.45 MeV Nuclear Fusion Neutron from Deuterated Nano-Sized Particles Irradiated by 20 TW All-Solid-State Laser

Abstract

We propose a novel neutron source technique using ultra-high intensity laser based on the cluster fusion scheme. We have developed the high-repetition rate 20 TW ultra-short pulse laser system MATSU-1 pumped by the efficient diode-pumped high energy solid-state laser KURE-1. Irradiating the ultra-high intensity of > 2 × 1018 W/cm2 in 60 fs laser pulse, high-energy deuterons were generated from the Coulomb explosion of deuterated polystyrene solid nanoparticles, and 2.45 MeV neutrons were observed by deuteron-deuteron fusion reaction. The yield of 104-105 neutrons per shot was stably observed during a hundred shots at 0.1-1 Hz operation.