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Related Experiment Videos

Photonuclear physics when a multiterawatt laser pulse interacts with solid targets

Ledingham1, Spencer, McCanny

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom.

Physical Review Letters
|October 4, 2000
PubMed
Summary

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This summary is machine-generated.

High-intensity laser pulses interacting with solid targets produce high-energy electrons. These electrons generate gamma-ray beams, enabling photonuclear reactions and demonstrating laser-induced nuclear fission in uranium.

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Physics
  • High-Intensity Laser-Matter Interactions
  • Astrophysical Plasma Physics

Background:

  • High-intensity lasers (10^19 W cm^-2) interacting with solid targets generate energetic electrons (tens of MeV).
  • These electrons can produce intense, directional gamma-ray beams.
  • Such beams are crucial for inducing photonuclear reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate photonuclear reactions induced by laser-generated gamma-ray beams.
  • To demonstrate laser-induced nuclear fission in uranium (238U).
  • To determine suprathermal electron temperatures using isotopic activity ratios.

Main Methods:

  • Irradiation of tantalum and uranium targets with the VULCAN laser at intensities around 10^19 W cm^-2.
  • Detection and analysis of produced isotopes (e.g., 11C, 38K, 62,64Cu, 63Zn, 106Ag, 140Pr, 180Ta) via (gamma,n) reactions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurement of beta(+) activities of 11C and 62Cu for electron temperature determination.

    • Main Results:

    • Successful production of multiple isotopes via (gamma,n) reactions using laser-generated gamma rays.
    • Experimental demonstration of laser-induced nuclear fission in 238U, confirming theoretical predictions.
    • Correlation of 11C/62Cu activity ratios with suprathermal electron temperatures at ~10^19 W cm^-2.

    Conclusions:

    • High-intensity lasers are effective tools for generating gamma-ray beams and inducing nuclear reactions.
    • Laser-induced nuclear fission is achievable at intensities of 10^19 W cm^-2.
    • Isotopic analysis provides a method for diagnosing electron temperatures in laser-plasma interactions.