https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01674-0
Regular Article
Alpha particle yield in femtosecond laser-driven proton–boron fusion
HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121, Budapest, Hungary
a
aladi.mark@wigner.hun-ren.hu
Received:
16
December
2024
Accepted:
28
April
2025
Published online:
14
May
2025
We investigate the proton–boron (pB) fusion reaction and the yield of 
particles produced by the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with a boron-containing target system. The pB reaction is examined from an experimental point of view using a simplified model that involves the injection of cooled hydrogen gas into vacuum, forming molecular clusters. We estimate the number of particles produced in a pitcher–catcher geometry, where the hydrogen jet serves as the pitcher target. We demonstrate that hydrogen clusters can serve as a cost-effective, renewable proton source compared to solid foils, and they are also suitable for high-repetition-rate experiments. Additionally, we review typical target and detection systems.
© The Author(s) 2025
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