65th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics 

October 30–November 3 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA

 Session JP11: Poster Session IV:

JP11.00031 : Laser-driven proton-boron reaction for alpha particles production*

Presenter: Didier Raffestin, Celia University of Bordeaux

Abstract: The fusion reaction P + 11B generates 3 alpha-particles with a total energy of 8.7 MeV. It opens the possibility of developing a novel generation of high brightness alpha-particle source, with potential interest in astrophysics, fusion energy [1] and medical in particular for the production of radioisotopes for diagnostics or medical treatment [2].

This work aims at studying different schemes of laser-driven p-11B reaction exploiting the high-power and the high repetition rate of VEGAIII laser to improve the alpha production detection and Scandium radioisotope production. Different setups are proposed: (i) Pitcher-catcher configuration: TNSA proton produced from thin aluminium foil target (Pitcher) interact on a solid B type target (catcher) and (ii) Directly irradiation of solid samples of Boron-nitride (BN) target.

We present in this work the experimental setup and the diagnostics used during the campaign, as well as the first preliminary results of the experiment.

[1] H. Hora, et al. Laser and Particle Beams (2015), 33, 607–619

[2] K. Szkliniarz, et al. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 118, 182 (2016)

*This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA21128- PROBONO“PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns”,supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology -www.cost.eu) and funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research andinnovation programme under grant agreement No 101008126.


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