Nuclear fusion induced by a super-intense ultrashort laser pulse in a deuterated glass aerogel

A SiO2 aerogel with absorbed deuterium is proposed as a target for the fusi on reaction d + d --> He-3 + n. induced by a superintense ultrashort laser pulse. The multiple inner ionization of oxygen and silicon atoms in the aer ogel skeleton occurs in the superintense laser field. All the formed free e lectrons are heated and removed from the aerogel skeleton by the laser fiel d at the front edge of the laser pulse. The subsequent Coulomb explosion of the deuterated charged aerogel skeleton propels the deuterium ions up to k inetic energies of ten keV and higher. The neutron yield is estimated at up to 10(5) neutrons per laser pulse for similar to 200-500 ps if the peak in tensity is 10(18) W/cm(2) and the pulse duration is 35 fs. @ 2001 MAIK "Nau ka/Interpedodica".