Research progress in the generation and applications of high-flux neutron sources driven by high-power laser facilities
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摘要: 简要回顾了中物院激光聚变研究中心研究团队基于星光-Ⅲ等强激光装置，在激光驱动中子源产生及应用研究方面开展的系列工作。介绍了研究团队通过新型靶设计提升光核中子产生效率、基于靶背鞘场加速机制提高中子产额，以及利用无碰撞静电冲击波加速获得高品质中子源等若干技术途径的探索。在应用方面，研究团队初步开展了该中子源在快中子照相、器件辐照效应与核材料检测等方向的实验研究，展现了其作为短脉冲、高通量中子源的潜在应用价值。随着激光技术的不断进步和产生机制的持续优化，这种新型中子源有望在基础科学研究、核能技术发展以及工业应用等领域发挥更加重要的作用，为相关学科的发展提供新的研究手段和技术支撑。Abstract: This paper briefly reviews the series of work carried out by the research team from the Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, based on the Xingguang-III and Shenguang-II Upgrade laser facilities, in the field of laser-driven neutron source generation and applications. In terms of generation mechanisms, it highlights explorations of several technical approaches, including enhancing photo-nuclear neutron production efficiency through novel target design, increasing neutron yield based on the target normal sheath acceleration mechanism, and obtaining high-quality neutron sources via collisionless electrostatic shock acceleration. On the application front, preliminary experimental studies have been conducted in areas such as fast neutron radiography, material radiation effects, and nuclear material detection, demonstrating the potential application value of such neutron sources as short-pulse, high-flux sources. With continuous advancements in laser technology and ongoing optimization of generation mechanisms, this new type of neutron source is expected to play an increasingly important role in basic scientific research, nuclear energy technology development, and industrial applications, providing new research tools and technical support for the development of related disciplines.
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图 2 不同电子密度下电子温度和中子产额
Figure 2. Neutron yield and relativistic electron slope temperature for different electron densities
图 3 激光清洗对激光加速质子和氘离子能谱的影响
Figure 3. Effect of laser cleaning on the energy spectra of laser-accelerated protons and deuterium ions
图 5 不同转换体中子产额气泡探测器和铟活化测量结果比较
Figure 5. Neutron yield diagnosed by bubble detector and In activation between different neutron converters
图 7 实验结果（a）和（b）分别为使用和未使用纳秒激光烧蚀时，汤姆逊谱仪的原始数据；（c）通过汤姆逊谱仪获得的离子能谱；（d）使用和未使用烧蚀技术时在0°、45°和90°方向测得的中子产额；（e）相应方向中子能谱。
Figure 7. Experimental results. (a), (b) Raw image plate data of the on-axis Thomson parabola spectrometer for the cases with and without nanosecond laser ablation, respectively. (c) The corresponding ion energy spectra obtained from TP. (d) Neutron yields at 0°, 45°, and 90° for the cases with and without ablation. (e) The corresponding neutron energy spectra
图 8 不同激光参数下模拟外推结果
Figure 8. Simulation results for the proposed scheme with different laser parameters
图 9 利用DT聚变产生的14 MeV，采用刀边发得到的分辨率结果
Figure 9. Resolution results obtained using the knife-edge method with 14 MeV from DT fusion
图 10 照相客体分辨率测试组合体及中子照相结果
Figure 10. Resolution test assembly of the photographed object and neutron radiography results
图 11 单粒子效应测试系统及实验排布示意图
Figure 11. Schematic diagram of the single-event effect test system and experimental layout
图 12 NaI探测器测量的贫铀材料裂变缓发伽马衰变时间谱
Figure 12. Time spectrum of fission delayed gamma decay in depleted uranium measured by NaI detector
表 1 气泡探测器测量的中子产额
Table 1. Neutron yield diagnosed by bubble detector
shot. target yield/sr #96 Cu-CD+LiD (3.0±0.7)×108 #97 Cu-CD+LiD (4.5±1.1)×108 #98 Cu-CD+LiF (1.9±0.5)×108 #99 Cu+LiD (3.3±0.7)×108 #101 Cu-CD+LiD (5.2±1.1)×108 #103 Cu-CD+LiF (1.5±0.6)×108 
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