# Neutron production from thermonuclear reactions in laser-generated plasmas

## TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical production of narrow-bandwidth neutron beams from thermonuclear reactions in laser-generated plasmas, with implications for astrophysics and plasma physics research.

## Contribution

It demonstrates that Petawatt laser-generated plasmas can produce narrower neutron beams via thermonuclear reactions, offering new avenues for astrophysical reaction rate measurements.

## Key findings

- Neutron beams with two orders of magnitude narrower bandwidth achievable.
- Neutron beam intensity is one to two orders lower than current laser-driven sources.
- Solid-state targets enhance plasma screening effects, aiding astrophysical studies.

## Abstract

The production of intense neutron beams via thermonuclear reactions in laser-generated plasmas is investigated theoretically. So far, state-of-the-art neutron beams are produced via laser-induced particle acceleration leading to high-energy particle beams that subsequently interact with a secondary target. Here we show that neutron beams of two orders of magnitude narrower bandwidth can be obtained from thermonuclear reactions in plasmas generated by Petawatt-class lasers. The intensity of such neutron beams is about one or two orders of magnitude lower than the one of the state-of-the-art laser-driven neutron beams. We study to this end the reaction $^2$H($d$, $n$)$^3$He in plasmas generated by Petawatt-class lasers interacting with D$_2$ gas jet targets and CD$_2$ solid-state targets. The results also shows the possibility of direct measurements of reaction rates at low temperatures of astrophysical interests. In addition, the use of CD$_2$ solid-state targets can also lead to great enhancements on the plasma screening compared to the case of D$_2$ gas jet targets, opening new possibilities to study this so far unsolved issue in the field of astrophysics.