Primary yields of protons measured using CR-39 in laser-induced deuteron–deuteron fusion reactions

Investigating deuteron–deuteron (DD) fusion reactions in a plasma environment similar to the early stages of the Big Bang is an important topic in nuclear astrophysics. In this study, we experimentally investigated such reactions, using eight laser beams with the third harmonic impacting on a deuter...

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Published in:Nuclear science and techniques 2020-06, Vol.31 (6), p.90-98, Article 62
Main Authors: Zhang, Yue, Liu, Long-Xiang, Wang, Hong-Wei, Ma, Yu-Gang, Shen, Bai-Fei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Huang, Mei-Rong, Bonasera, Aldo, Wang, Wen-Peng, Xu, Jian-Cai, Li, Shun, Fan, Gong-Tao, Cao, Xi-Guang, Yu, Yong, He, Jian-Jun, Fu, Chang-Bo, Zhang, Suyalatu, Hu, Xin-Rong, Li, Xin-Xiang, Hao, Zi-Rui, Wang, Jun-Wen, Xue, Han, Fu, Hai-Juan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CR-39
DD fusion
DD proton
Energy
Hadrons
Heavy Ions
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Physics
NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
range-fi lter spectrometers
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Summary:Investigating deuteron–deuteron (DD) fusion reactions in a plasma environment similar to the early stages of the Big Bang is an important topic in nuclear astrophysics. In this study, we experimentally investigated such reactions, using eight laser beams with the third harmonic impacting on a deuterated polyethylene target at the ShenGuang-II Upgrade laser facility. This work focused on the application of range-filter (RF) spectrometers, assembled from a 70 μm aluminum filter and two CR-39 nuclear track detectors, to measure the yields of primary DD-protons. Based on the track diameter calibration results of 3 MeV protons used to diagnose the tracks on the RF spectrometers, an approximate primary DD-proton yield of ( 8.5 ± 1.7 ) × 10 6 was obtained, consistent with the yields from similar laser facilities worldwide. This indicates that the RF spectrometer is an effective way to measure primary DD-protons. However, due to the low yields of D 3 He -protons and its small track diameter, CR-39 detectors were unable to distinguish it from the background spots. Using other accurate detectors may help to measure these rare events.
ISSN:1001-8042
2210-3147
DOI:10.1007/s41365-020-00769-8