Development of a Novel Neutron Detector for 1-ps Time-Resolved Measurements of Neutron-Production History and Spectrum at Short-Pulse Lasers, OMEGA and the NIF

A novel neutron detector is being implemented for 1-ps time-resolved measurement of the neutron-production history and spectrum at the MTW and LFEX short-pulse lasers, and the OMEGA and NIF long-pulse lasers. This new diagnostic is based on the Pockels-effect concept and will provide at least 10\texttimes better time resolution than current diagnostics. In the context of short-pulse-laser experiments, this diagnostic will provide a fundamental understanding of the production period and spectrum of the emitted neutrons, which is essential in the areas of life sciences, condensed-matter physics, fusion-material studies, and stellar nucleosynthesis of heavy elements. In the context of ICF, this diagnostic will provide critical experimental information about the dynamics of the hot-spot formation, fuel assembly and alpha heating in an ICF implosion, as encoded in the time evolution of neutron yield and hot-spot ion temperature. This work was supported in part by the U.S. DOE, the MIT/NNSA CoE, and LLE.