Substantially enhanced deuteron-triton fusion probabilities in intense low-frequency laser fields

Abstract

Deuteron-triton (DT) fusion is the primary fusion reaction used in controlled fusion research, mainly for its relatively high reaction cross sections compared to other fusion options. Even so, to attain appreciable reaction probabilities very high temperatures (on the order of 10-100 million kelvins) are required, which are extremely challenging to achieve and maintain. We show that intense low-frequency laser fields, such as those in the near-infrared regime for the majority of intense laser facilities around the world, are highly effective in transferring energy to the DT system and enhancing the DT fusion probabilities. The fusion probabilities are shown to be enhanced by at least an order of magnitude in 800-nm laser fields with intensities on the order of 10$^{21}$ W/cm$^2$. The demanding temperature requirement of controlled nuclear fusion may be relaxed if intense low-frequency lasers are exploited.