An Overview of Nuclear Physics in Plasmas
ORAL · Invited
Abstract
The intersection of Nuclear and Plasma Physics provides a range of opportunities for carrying out novel research and advancing understanding in both fields. Recent advances in both Plasma Physics, such as achievement of ignition on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the growth of the private fusion industry and the development of new experimental facilities, and Nuclear Physics, such as multi-messenger observations of signatures of astrophysical processes, make it particularly timely to explore cross-cutting themes. Three themes have been identified:
(i) Fundamental Nuclear-Plasma processes.
Nuclei in a plasma environment are thought to experience a range of physical processes. These include nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC), nuclear excitation by electronic transition (NEET), and related excitation processes. Experimental verification of these processes remains elusive but current and future experiments at facilities such as the NIF could address this.
(ii) Fusion & high-energy-density-physics experimental facilities can provide novel nuclear data.
Recent experiments at fusion facilities have provided novel nuclear data that is not accessible at conventional nuclear experimental facilities. This includes measurements of the DT-gamma branching ratio and measurements of the three-body TT reaction. Hot plasmas have the advantage of relatively large reaction rates at low reaction energies and so can provide complementary data to that obtained at the conventional facilities. Fusion plasmas such as those at the NIF can also provide higher neutron fluxes than any other terrestrial facility, opening up the space for studying single and double neutron capture relevant to the slow and rapid neutron capture processes.
(iii) Nuclear theory & data to support fusion diagnostic development & reactor design.
Nuclear diagnostics, such as neutron, gamma and charged particle spectrometers, and radiochemistry diagnostics are important for all fusion experiments. However, accurate interpretation of these diagnostics requires precise knowledge of a range of nuclear and scattering reaction cross sections, not all of which are well known. Similarly, many aspects of fusion reactor design, such as the performance of first wall materials and tritium breeding, will require accurate nuclear theory data.
(i) Fundamental Nuclear-Plasma processes.
Nuclei in a plasma environment are thought to experience a range of physical processes. These include nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC), nuclear excitation by electronic transition (NEET), and related excitation processes. Experimental verification of these processes remains elusive but current and future experiments at facilities such as the NIF could address this.
(ii) Fusion & high-energy-density-physics experimental facilities can provide novel nuclear data.
Recent experiments at fusion facilities have provided novel nuclear data that is not accessible at conventional nuclear experimental facilities. This includes measurements of the DT-gamma branching ratio and measurements of the three-body TT reaction. Hot plasmas have the advantage of relatively large reaction rates at low reaction energies and so can provide complementary data to that obtained at the conventional facilities. Fusion plasmas such as those at the NIF can also provide higher neutron fluxes than any other terrestrial facility, opening up the space for studying single and double neutron capture relevant to the slow and rapid neutron capture processes.
(iii) Nuclear theory & data to support fusion diagnostic development & reactor design.
Nuclear diagnostics, such as neutron, gamma and charged particle spectrometers, and radiochemistry diagnostics are important for all fusion experiments. However, accurate interpretation of these diagnostics requires precise knowledge of a range of nuclear and scattering reaction cross sections, not all of which are well known. Similarly, many aspects of fusion reactor design, such as the performance of first wall materials and tritium breeding, will require accurate nuclear theory data.
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Presenters
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Brian D Appelbe
- Imperial College London