Link do spotkania w aplikacji Microsoft Teams: https://tiny.pl/z9qfvp8z

Abstract:

The important role of lasers in fusion research can be dated back to the year 1972, when Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) was firstly proposed [1]. Presently, in parallel to the pure ICF research conducted at facilities such as National Ignition Facility (USA) or Laser Megajoule (France), laser ion acceleration (which supposedly would enable Fast Ignition [2] (FI) scenario of laser fusion) is one of the main areas of interest within laser-fusion research. As observed in recent experiments, the Cavity Pressure Accceleration (CPA), mechanism firstly proposed to be used in Fast Ignition scenario of ICF, is able to produce intense flux of both multi-MeV protons and neutrons when deuterated materials are used inside the cavity [3][4]. By exploiting this mechanism one does not rely on laser intensity, but rather thermodynamical parameters of plasma confined in the cavity, which enables moderate-to-low intensity laser systems to be used in both ion acceleration (up to several MeV) and small-scale fusion experiments where neutron generation is of the interest.

This talk will cover the basics of Cavity Pressure Acceleration, production of neutrons and protons by means of deuterium-deuterium (DD) reaction and potential application of these, together with challenges that accompany this approach, in proton-boron fusion experiments which are planned in near future.

[1] J. Nuckolls, L. Wood, A. Thiessen, and G. Zimmerman, "Laser compression of matter to super-high densities: Thermonuclear (ctr) applications", Nature 1972 239:5368 239, 139–142 (1972).
[2] M. Roth, "Review on the current status and prospects of fast ignition in fusion targets driven by intense, laser generated proton beams", Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 51, 014004 (2008).
[3] T. Chodukowski et al., "Neutron production in cavity pressure acceleration of plasma objects", AIP Adv, vol. 10, no. 8, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1063/5.0005977.
[4] P. Tchórz et al., "Proton beams generated via thermonuclear deuterium–deuterium fusion by means of modified cavity pressure acceleration-type targets as a candidate for proton–boron fusion driver", Phys. Plasmas 1 August 2024; 31 (8): 084503. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0207108.