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Cluster dynamics transcending chemical dynamics toward nuclear fusion
Andreas Heidenreich1, Joshua Jortner, Isidore Last
1School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Summary
Ultrafast laser pulses drive Coulomb explosion in clusters, producing energetic ions. This enables a 7-orders-of-magnitude enhancement in table-top deuterium-deuterium nuclear fusion yields using heteroclusters.
Area of Science:
- Physics, Chemistry
- Laser-driven cluster dynamics
- Nuclear fusion and nucleosynthesis
Background:
- Ultrafast cluster dynamics involves electron and nuclear motion in intense laser fields.
- Extreme ionization of clusters leads to highly charged ions and Coulomb explosion (CE).
- CE produces high-energy ions capable of initiating nuclear reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore laser intensity and cluster size effects on CE dynamics and energetics.
- To optimize conditions for table-top deuterium-deuterium (dd) nuclear fusion via CE.
- To investigate potential for table-top nucleosynthesis reactions.
Main Methods:
- Electrostatic models and molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- Investigated CE of various deuterium-containing clusters (e.g., D2, DI, CD3I).
- Analyzed energetic driving and kinematic run-over effects.
Main Results:
- Optimized dd fusion using light-heavy heteroclusters of largest size.
- Achieved a 7-orders-of-magnitude yield enhancement for dd fusion compared to D2 clusters.
- Identified cluster vertical ionization as key at high laser intensities.
Conclusions:
- Heterocluster CE significantly enhances table-top dd nuclear fusion.
- Demonstrated feasibility of table-top nucleosynthesis (e.g., 12C(p,gamma)13N) using CE.
- Ultrafast cluster dynamics offers a pathway to controlled nuclear reactions.
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