Pulsed Neutron Sources with Table-Top Laser Accelerated Protons

Neutron production rates using laser-accelerated protons from high-energy single-shot laser (giant pulse laser) and low-energy high-repetition tabletop laser systems are compared. With the VULCAN giant pulse laser, more than 10 neutrons per shot were produced in a nanosecond pulse through (p,3:n) reactions with lead. In contrast, a current state-of-the-art tabletop laser theoretically can produce 10s to 107 neutrons per second in repetitional nanosecond pulses. It is estimated that next-generation tabletop lasers currently under construction will be capable of producing nanosecond neutron pulses at a rate of 10 neutrons per second.

ZAGAR Tomaz;  GALY Jean;  MAGILL Joseph; 

2006-06-16

Springer

JRC30007

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC30007,