Laser-driven proton-boron reaction for alpha particles production

The fusion reaction P + ¹¹B generates 3 alpha-particles with a total energy of 8.7 MeV. It opens the possibility of developing a novel generation of high brightness alpha-particle source, with potential interest in astrophysics, fusion energy [1] and medical in particular for the production of radioisotopes for diagnostics or medical treatment [2].

This work aims at studying different schemes of laser-driven p-¹¹B reaction exploiting the high-power and the high repetition rate of VEGAIII laser to improve the alpha production detection and Scandium radioisotope production. Different setups are proposed: (i) Pitcher-catcher configuration: TNSA proton produced from thin aluminium foil target (Pitcher) interact on a solid B type target (catcher) and (ii) Directly irradiation of solid samples of Boron-nitride (BN) target.

We present in this work the experimental setup and the diagnostics used during the campaign, as well as the first preliminary results of the experiment.

[1] H. Hora, et al. Laser and Particle Beams (2015), 33, 607–619

[2] K. Szkliniarz, et al. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 118, 182 (2016)