Path to Increasing p-B11 Reactivity via ps and ns Lasers

The Lawson criterion for proton-boron (p-11B) thermonuclear fusion is substantially higher than that deuterium-tritium (DT) because the cross section lower and peaks at ion energies. Maxwellian averaged p-11B reactivity several hundred keV, where bremsstrahlung radiation emission may dominate over reactions if electrons ions are in thermal equilibrium losses unrestricted. Nonequilibrium burn has often been suggested to realize benefits of this aneutronic reaction, but predominance elastic scattering makes difficult achieve. development ultrashort pulse lasers (USPL) opened new possibilities initiating nonequilibrium burns significant numbers alpha particles have reported from experiments. We present an analysis shows these yields result beam do not scale net energy gain. further find can be explained by experimental parameters recently updated sections such a postulated avalanche mechanism required. use understand underlying physics USPL-driven whether they used initiate burns. conclude outlining path increasing towards goal achieving ignition describing design principles we will develop computational point design.