Broad-range neutron spectra identification in ultraintense laser interactions with carbon-deuterated plasma

摘要

Detailed neutron energy spectra produced from a CD2 target irradiated by a 450 fs, 20 J, 1053 nm laser at an intensity of 3x10(18) W/cm(2) have been studied. Wide-ranging neutron spectra were observed from two different observation angles 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the rear-side target normal. The experiment and numerically calculated spectra, by a three-dimensional Monte Carlo code, indicate that the range of the measured spectra is larger than that produced by the D(d,n)He-3 reaction. An interpretation for the measured spectra is introduced by considering the C-12(d,n)N-13 and D((12)c,n)N-13 reactions. In addition, the study revealed that the neutron spectra produced by the D-C and C-D reactions can overlap that produced by the D-D reaction, and due to their high cross sections, comparing to the D-D reaction, both of them effectively participate in the neutron yield. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.