Optimizing Laser-accelerated Ion Beams for a Collimated Neutron Source

C.L. Ellison and J. Fuchs

关键词: CONFIGURATION;    DISTRIBUTION;    ENERGY SPECTRA;    FOCUSING;    ION BEAMS;    LASERS;    NEUTRON SOURCES;    NEUTRONS;    PRODUCTION;    TARGETS;    TIME RESOLUTION Monte Carlo Methods;    Neutrons;   

DOI  :  10.2172/989192
RP-ID  :  PPPL-4554
PID  :  OSTI ID: 989192
Others  :  TRN: US1007092

学科分类：原子、分子光学和等离子物理

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

High-flux neutrons for imaging and materials analysis applications have typically been provided by accelerator- and reactor-based neutron sources. A novel approach is to use ultraintense (>1018W/cm2) lasers to generate picosecond, collimated neutrons from a dual target configuration. In this article, the production capabilities of present and upcoming laser facilities are estimated while independently maximizing neutron yields and minimizing beam divergence. A Monte-Carlo code calculates angular and energy distributions of neutrons generated by D-D fusion events occurring within a deuterated target for a given incident beam of D+ ions. Tailoring of the incident distribution via laser parameters and microlens focusing modifies the emerging neutrons. Projected neutron yields and distributions are compared to conventional sources, yielding comparable on-target fluxes per discharge, shorter time resolution, larger neutron energies and greater collimation.