Neutron production from picosecond laser irradiation of deuterated targets at intensities of 10(19) W cm(-2)

Neutron fluxes of up to 7 × 107 neutrons/sr were measured when planar deuterated targets were irradiated with 1.3 ps FWHM (full width at half maximum) laser pulses at a wavelength of 1054 nm and focused intensities up to 1019 W cm-2. The neutron energy spectra are consistent with an angularly dispersed beam target interaction, whereas a thermonuclear source is considered unlikely. © 1998 IOP Publishing Ltd