High energy neutrons from nuclear reactions driven by ions accelerated irradiating nanowire arrays at relativistic intensities

Abstract

The generation of neutron flashes from D–D fusion reactions (2.45 MeV) in deuterated polyethylene (CD2) nanowire arrays irradiated with femtosecond pulses of relativistic intensity was previously reported [Curtis et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 1077 (2018)]. Here, we demonstrate the generation of neutrons with energy >10 MeV by the nuclear interaction of energetic deuteron/proton beams produced by irradiation arrays of CD2 nanowires with selected converter targets (LiF, Be, BN, and Li). The ions were accelerated focusing ultra-high contrast femtosecond pulses of 6.5 J energy to an intensity of 10ˆ21 W cmˆ2 onto arrays of 200 nm diameter CD2 nanowires. A neutron flux of 2 x10ˆ7 neutrons/sr/shot was obtained using a Li metal converter target with a cutout geometry designed to increase the interaction area with the catcher.