First measurement of the \(^{10}{\rm B}(\alpha,n)^{13}{\rm N}\) reaction in an inertial confinement fusion implosion at the National Ignition Facility

Abstract

We report the first measurement of the \(^{10}{\rm B}(\alpha,n)^{13}{\rm N}\) reaction in a polar-direct-drive exploding pusher (PDXP) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The target is composed of a 65/35atomic% deuterium-tritium fill surrounded by a roughly 30\(\mu\)m thick Beryllium ablator. The inner portion of the Beryllium ablator is doped with 10atomic% of 10-Boron. Radiation-hydrodynamics calculations were performed in 1D to optimize both the remaining Boron rho-R and the DT neutron yield. A charged-particle transport post-processor has been developed to study \(\alpha\)-induced reactions on the ablator material. Results indicate a large 13-Nitrogen production from \(\alpha\)-induced reactions on 10-Boron, measurable by the Radiochemical Analysis of Gaseous Samples (RAGS) system at the NIF. The PDXP target N201115-001-999 was successfully fielded on the NIF, and Nitrogen from the \(^{10}{\rm B}(\alpha,n)^{13}{\rm N}\) reaction was measured. The \(^{13}\rm N\) production yield, as well as the DT neutron yield, were however lower than expected, likely due to the asymmetry of the implosion.