Neutron production in cavity pressure acceleration of plasma objects

The laser-induced Cavity Pressure Acceleration (CPA) scheme [S. Borodziuk et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 231501 (2009)] allows for effective transformation of the laser energy into the kinetic energy of plasma streams and dense plasma objects. It has been proven that using long-wavelength laser beams, with relatively low energies (up to 500 J for lambda (1) = 1.315 mu m and FWHM = 350 ps), it is possible to accelerate macroparticles to very high velocities (above 10(7) cm/s). The study of neutron yield showed the benefit of CPA in delivering ion temperatures and density sufficient to reach the thermonuclear region.