Laser-assisted proton-boron high temperature plasma

In the research of green energy, proton-boron reaction is a relatively unexploredsubject. The reason is that the kinetic energy required by proton-boron reaction isten times larger than that for tritium-deuterium reaction, and the reaction crosssection is four times smaller, therefore proton-boron reaction is difficult to realizein known engineering constructions aimed for tritium-deuterium reaction.However, proton-boron reaction has the following advantages: (1) The product ofthe reaction is helium. Both the reactants and the products are not radioactive.(2) Proton and boron are abundant in nature; there is not need of isotopeseparation or breeding with neutrons. (3) The energy released from the reactionis carried by charged helium, hence the energy is possible to be converteddirectly to electric energy without going through heat. If the engineering difficultiesof proton-boron reaction can be overcome, the reaction can be the best choicefor green energy. In this project we plan to develop the technologies for laserproton acceleration and proton-boron reaction diagnosis. These technologies willbecome the experimental basis for studying proton-boron reaction in the nextstage. Major works in this project include: (1) Constructing a terawatt level CO2laser. The laser will be used to accelerate proton in gas jet targets to reach thekinetic energy required by proton-boron reaction. (2) Enhancing the pulsecontrast of our current high-field laser in order to utilize solid thin-film target toaccelerate protons and reach the kinetic energy required by proton-boronreaction. (3) Developing techniques for proton beam characterization in order tosurvey the conditions for proton-boron reaction. (4) Evaluating the requirementsof radiation shielding for experiments on proton-boron reaction. (5) Developingtechniques for diagnosis of the products of proton-boron reaction. (6) Usingcomputer simulation to simulate laser proton acceleration and collisions betweenproton and boron in order to estimate required experimental conditions.