Abstract. In the last decade or so, an evolution in experimental relativistic laserplasma physics has led to highly sophisticated lasers which are now capable of generating ultra-short pulses and can be focused to intensities in excess of 1021Wcm-2. The laser interaction with solid or gas targets can generate collimated beams of highly energetic electrons, protons and ions. These high-intensity laser systems, therefore, turn out to be versatile and powerful sources of radiation and high-energy particles, without recourse to large-scale facilities such as nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. The potential to induce various kinds of nuclear reactions with laser-induced radiation fields has been demonstrated at several laboratories in recent years. The present paper lays out a comprehensive overview of nuclear reactions induced by high-intensity laser matter interactions. Mechanisms for electron, proton and ion acceleration, in addition to secondary bremsstrahlung, positron and neutron production, are addressed, with a focus on the types of nuclear reactions that are possible and potential applications. Discussion of the extrapolation of these processes and applications to the next generation
of table-top lasers under construction is also presented.
GALY Jean;
NORMAND Christophe;
HAMILTON David;
2009-06-29
EDP SCIENCES S A
JRC52877
1951-6355,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC52877,
10.1140/epjst/e2009-01133-4,
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