2.5‐ MeV neutron source controlled by high‐intensity pulsed laser generating plasma

A laptop neutron source suited for the most demanding field or laboratory applications is presented. It is based on laser ablation of CD 2 primary targets, plasma acceleration of the D + ions, and their irradiation of secondary CD 2 targets. The deuterium–deuterium (D‐D) fusion reaction is induced in the secondary target, according to the values of fusion cross‐section versus deuteron energy, which show a significant probability also at relatively low ion energies. The experiments were completed in the PALS laboratory, Prague, detecting monoenergetic neutrons at 2.45 MeV with an emission flux of about 10 9 neutrons per laser shot. Other experiments demonstrating the possibility to induce D‐D events were performed at IPPLM, Warsaw, and at INFN‐LNS, Catania, where the deuterons were accelerated at about 4 MeV and 50 keV, respectively. In the last case, a low laser intensity and a post‐ion acceleration system were employed. A special interaction chamber, under vacuum, is proposed to develop a new source of monochromatic neutrons or thermalized distribution of neutrons