Neutron yield of Li(p,n)Be reaction with laser-driven proton

Ogura, Koichi; Sakaki, Hironao; Nishiuchi, Mamiko; Sagisaka, Akito; Fukuda, Yuji; Pirozhkov, A. S.; Esirkepov, T. Z.; Kon, Akira; Kanasaki, Masato; Kondo, Kiminori

Acceleration of protons to high kinetic energy in plasmas induced by high intensity laser pulses has been investigated. Many interesting applications for energetic protons can be considered such as laser-driven ion beam radiotherapy, proton-induced fast ignition, isotope production, neutron source, etc. One of the neutron generation methods uses a dual target. The angular distribution and energy spectrum of the neutrons depend on the converter material, energy, and ion species. We report on an estimation of neutron yield of a zero degree direction from a lithium neutron converter. As the protons propagate in the lithium converter, their energy is depleted in accordance with the continuous slowing down approximation. The neutron yield of zero degree direction was obtained from the experimental cross section for the Li(p,n)Be reaction.