⁴⁰Ar proposed as probe of neutron-induced reactions in a high-density stellar-like plasma at the National Ignition Facility

The thermodynamical conditions and the neutron density produced in a laser-induced implosion of a deuterium-tritium (DT) filled capsule at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are the closest laboratory analog of stellar conditions. We plan to investigate neutron-induced reactions on Ar-40, namely the Ar-40(n, 2n)Ar-39(t(1/2) =268 y), the Ar-40(n,gamma)Ar-41(110 min) and the potential rapid two-neutron capture reaction Ar-40(2n,gamma)Ar-42(33 y) in an Ar-loaded DT capsule. The chemical inertness of noble gas Ar enables reliable collection of the reaction products.