Towards a laser neutron driver

During the last few years, important experimental investigations have been made concerning the possibility of induced nuclear fission of high-Z elements by electromagnetic interaction (photofission, electron fission, neutron fission). Fast ions, neutrons and fission fragments from such interactions can be used to pump a laser medium, to produce energy from the ²³²Th-²³³U nuclear fission cycle. The main aim of the present work is to study a three-step process, in a relatively new experimental scheme, in order to improve the number of both neutrons and fast ions. In the proposed scheme, high-energy particles and photons are produced by high-intensity laser beam interaction with a solid or gas target, which are utilized later on to trigger the nuclear reactions for the production of (photo) neutrons. These neutrons can give rise to fission of ²³²Th that leads through a cascade of decays to ²³³U - a highly fissionable material. Such a process will enhance, by an important factor, the final neutron flux and the energetic fission fragments. The use of a high intensity pulsed laser beam will control the turn-on and turn-off of the nuclear reactions and allow one to ensure the security of the whole operation. Finally, the produced neutrons are used to accomplish a major population inversion in an appropriate gas medium for the last stage of amplification of a high-contrast ultra-short laser seed pulse.