Coulomb cluster explosion boosted by a quasi-dc pulse -- diagnostic tool and ultimate test of laser fusion efficiency in clusters

Abstract

To greatly enhance output of nuclear fusion produced neutrons in a laser-initiated Coulomb explosion of Deuterium clusters, we propose to accelerate the resulting ions by a quasi-$dc$ electrical pulse to the energies where the $D^+ + D$ collision cross-section is the highest. With $D^+$ ions bombarding then a Deuterium-rich solid-state cathode, this allows one to solve a few problems simultaneously by (a) completely removing electron cloud hindering the Coulomb explosion of ionic core, (b) utilizing up to 100% of the cluster ions to collide with the high-density packed nuclei, and (c) reaching highly increased cross-section of neutron production in a single $D^+ + D$ collision, in particular by using a multi-layered target. We also consider the use of E-pulse acceleration for diagnostic purposes.