Generating near solid density reacting ion distributions using intense short pulse lasers.

Simulations and recent experimental results of a new platform for generating near solid density reacting ion distributions using intense short pulse lasers will be presented. The platform consists of a thin unstructured CH or CD foam with O(100) nm scale pores and ligaments mounted on a thin solid density CH support. The solid CH is illuminated by an intense, ~5 x 10¹⁹ W/cm², short pulse, ~40 fs, laser having an ASE component less than 10^-8 of the main pulse. The recirculating hot electrons generated at the pre-plasma critical surface induce electric fields within the foam structure causing TNSA acceleration of the foam ions into the voids. This results in a near solid density charged ion distribution with kinetic energies approaching 200 keV. These energies and densities are sufficient to produce measurable quantities of charged particle reactions, such as, ¹²C(p,γ)¹³N, allowing for the study of cross sections with astrophysical relevance, as well as for direct studies of screening effects in charged particle reactions occurring in hot plasma like conditions.