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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
08:51
Coulomb Explosion Imaging as a Tool to Distinguish Between Stereoisomers
Published on: August 18, 2017
Tabletop nucleosynthesis driven by cluster Coulomb explosion.
1School of Chemistry, Tel-Aviv University, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Physical Review Letters
|December 13, 2006
Summary
Coulomb explosion of ionized clusters drives nuclear reactions. This research explores nucleosynthesis using ultraintense lasers and exploding cluster beams for novel nuclear science applications.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Laser-Plasma Interactions
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ultraintense lasers enable novel nuclear reactions.
- Cluster beams offer unique targets for laser-driven processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Coulomb explosion of ionized molecular clusters (CH4, NH3, H2O).
- To explore the potential for driving nuclear reactions and nucleosynthesis in exploding cluster beams.
- To extend the scope of nuclear reactions initiated by ultraintense laser-hetero-cluster interactions.
Main Methods:
- Achieving complete electron stripping from clusters using laser intensities >= 10^19 W cm^-2.
- Utilizing nanodroplets (300-700 A radius) for efficient ionization.
- Accelerating nuclei to high energies (approx. 30 MeV for heavy nuclei, 3 MeV for protons).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that Coulomb explosion of ionized clusters can drive nuclear reactions.
- Identified conditions for nucleosynthesis in exploding cluster beams.
- Showcased the potential for tabletop nuclear reactions.
Conclusions:
- Coulomb explosion of ionized molecular clusters is a viable pathway for inducing nuclear reactions.
- This method extends the possibilities of laser-driven nuclear science and nucleosynthesis.
- Further research can leverage these findings for controlled nuclear processes.
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