Proton-Boron fusion reaction study using laser accelerated proton beam

A study on nuclear fusion reaction between proton and boron (p + ₅B¹¹ 3α + 8.7 MeV) is carried out using laser generated proton beam. The proton beam was produced focussing 150TW Ti:sapphire laser on aluminium 0.75μm thin foil target to an intensity of 10²⁰ W/cm². Natural Boron with 90% purity in the form of pellet is irradiated by the proton beam (energy subMeV to 10Mev) generated at the rear side of the target. Alpha particle emission during the nuclear reaction is recorded by CR-39 track detector kept in front of the boron pellet. Large number of tracks recorded on CR-39 detector confirms the proton-boron fusion reaction. (author)