The new possibility of the fusion p + ¹¹B chain reaction being induced by intense laser pulses

We discuss the experimental and theoretical principal schemes of a thermonuclear reactor, based on the fusion reaction p + ¹¹B: beam collisions, fusion in degenerate plasmas, ignition at the plasma, particle acceleration by nonlinear ponderomotive forces and irradiation of the solid ¹¹B target by a proton beam at the Coulomb explosion of hydrogen microdroplets. The fusion reaction p + ¹¹B can be initiated by ultrashort high intensity laser pulses under conditions far from thermodynamic equilibrium. This may result in fusion products containing a small amount of neutrons and other nuclear radiation effects. It was found that the fusion reaction p + ¹¹B produces further nuclear reactions and generates high-energy protons. The latter can support the chain reaction process. Our approach allows us to also investigate nuclear reactions in the early Universe and in stars. (letter)