Extreme Deuterium Density
The study leverages petawatt-class lasers to induce the Z-pinch effect in deuterated polyethylene nanowires. This process compresses deuterium ions to densities exceeding 1025 cm-3, creating a micro-scale environment where nuclear fusion reactions produce femtosecond-duration neutron pulses.
Revolutionizing Neutron Generation
Using advanced Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations, the team demonstrated that a single 300 nm nanowire irradiated by a 60-fs laser pulse achieves a peak neutron flux of 1026 cm-2s-1. The compression phase, lasting just 10 femtoseconds, generates radial ion fluxes of 1034 cm-2s-1, enabling high-yield deuterium-deuterium (D-D) and deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reactions. D-T reactions produce over tenfold higher neutron yields compared to D-D, with simulations predicting over 106 neutrons per pulse in optimized nanowires.
Bridging Astrophysics and Laboratory Research
The extreme conditions potential for generating neutron-rich environments, critical for studying r-process nucleosynthesis. "This method bridges the gap between astrophysical phenomena and controlled laboratory experiments," explains Putong Wang. "The femtosecond-scale neutron bursts also enhance Time-of-Flight measurements, crucial for nuclear data accuracy."
Technological and Scientific Implications
Beyond astrophysics, the technique's ultra-short pulses and microscopic spatial resolution (30 nm×30 nm) open avenues for materials science and neutron imaging. The team highlights potential applications in neutron or proton capture reactions and compact neutron sources for industrial and security sectors.
Future Directions
The researchers plan to explore instabilities in Z-pinch dynamics and optimize target parameters for diverse nuclear reactions. "By refining laser parameters and nanowire designs, we aim to push neutron fluxes closer to astrophysical extremes," says Putong Wang. The complete study is accessible via DOI: 10.1007/s41365-025-01738-9.
