Efficient and repetitive neutron generation by double-laser-pulse driven photonuclear reaction

Abstract

A short and high-intensity neutron pulse can be produced efficiently by using photonuclear reactions caused by Bremsstrahlung hard X-rays in a lase-irradiated high-Z target. The efficient and repetitive neutron generation was demonstrated with the combination of 1 Hz, 0.5 J, 25 fs, 5 x 1019W/cm2 laser pulses and a rotating tungsten disc targe. Here we applied double laser pulse irradiation scheme to increase the neutron generation efficiency. The first low-intensity laser pulse produces a lon-scale unde-critical-density plasma on the tungsten target surface prior to the second pulse irradiatio. High energy electrons above the ponderomotive scaling value are accelerated by the second hig-intensity pulse in the preformed plasm, this results in the increment of hard X-ray photons and photonuclear neutron. 3.5 x 104 neutron/pulse was obtained with optimized laser irradiation conditions.