Fission Experiments in Laser-Generated Plasmas

Executive Summary

Using laser-driven experimental facilities and nuclear diagnostics, we will develop capabilities for studying fission reactions in high-energy-density plasmas, an important problem largely unstudied by laboratory experiments. If successful, this project will yield new capabilities broadly applicable across the national mission space, including the Department of Energy (stockpile stewardship), the Department of Homeland Security (radiochemistry and forensics), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (astrophysics).

Publications, Presentations, and Patents

Boller, P et al., 2020. “First on-line detection of radioactive fission isotopes produced by laser-accelerated protons,” Sci. Rep. 10, 17183.

Vogt, R and Randrup, J. 2021. “Angular momentum effects in fission,” Phys. Rev. C 103, 014601. LLNL-JRNL-815575.

Randrup, J and Vogt, R. “Generation of Fragment Angular Momentum in Fission,” Phys. Rev. Lett 127, 062502. LLNL-JRNL-820697.