Coulomb cluster explosion boosted by an electrical pulse -- neutron source, diagnostic tool, and test of nuclear fusion efficiency

Abstract

To greatly enhance output of fusion-produced neutrons in a laser-initiated Coulomb explosion of $D$ clusters, we propose to accelerate $D^{+}$ ions by an electrical pulse to the energies where the $D^{+}+D$ collision cross-section is the highest. With $D^{+}$ ions bombarding a $D$-rich cathode, this solves a few problems simultaneously by (a) removing electron cloud hindering the Coulomb explosion, (b) utilizing up to $100\%$ of the ions to hit the high-density packed nuclei, and (c) reaching highly increased cross-section of neutron production in a single $D^{+}+D$ collision, by using a multi-layered target. We show that neutron output can reach up to $10^{15}$ per shot, which provides for a powerful and compact neutron source. We also consider the use of $E$-pulse acceleration for diagnostic purposes.

By mistake I deposited this paper as a new one, instead of an updatred version of arXiv:1503.06368