Projects per year
Abstract
The continued improvement of high power laser technologies is recasting the prospects of smallscale neutron sources, to enable scientific communities and industries performing experiments that are currently offered at extensive accelerator-driven facilities. This paper reports moderation of laser-driven fast neutrons to thermal energies using a compact, modular moderator assembly. A significant thermal (∼ 25 meV) flux of ∼ 106 n/sr/pulse was measured from water and plastic moderators in a proof-of-principle experiment employing a relatively moderate power laser delivering 200 J on target in 10 ps. Using MCNPX simulations, the experimental results are reproduced and discussed.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 174102 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2020 |
Keywords
- high power laser
- small scale neutron sources
- laser-driven fast neutrons
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Dive into the research topics of 'A miniature thermal neutron source using high power lasers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Nonlinear Optics and Dynamics of Relativistically Transparent Plasmas
McKenna, P. (Principal Investigator), Gray, R. (Co-investigator) & King, M. (Research Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/11/17 → 31/10/22
Project: Research
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Advanced laser-ion acceleration strategies towards next generation healthcare
McKenna, P. (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
21/05/13 → 20/05/19
Project: Research