Enhanced alpha-particle flux generated through laser-induced proton–boron fusion using pitcher–catcher geometry

We present a comprehensive computational study on enhancing the α-particle yield from laser-induced proton–boron fusion. Using particle-in-cell simulations, we examine the energy distribution of the proton beam accelerated via the target normal sheath acceleration mechanism using gold as a pitcher target and investigate subsequent α-particle production in a pitcher–catcher target configuration. In the pitcher–catcher geometry, the ions accelerated from the pitcher interact with the catcher target, producing the alpha particles at the front surface of the catcher target. We study the energy distribution of the ions and alpha particles accelerated at the rear surface of the pitcher target and the front surface of the catcher target, respectively. Importantly, our investigations reveal a higher alpha particle flux of 2.67 × 1011 α/MeV/sr for a maximum proton energy of 11 MeV. The higher alpha particle yield is mainly due to the higher flux of the protons of around 1018 MeV, particularly in the range of resonance cross section of the proton–boron reaction. The numerical tools EPOCH and FLUKA Monte Carlo were used for this study. These findings emphasize the promising potential of laser-induced proton–boron fusion for the development of bright alpha particle sources, short-lived medical radioisotope production, and laboratory astrophysics. The results provide crucial insights into advancing laser-driven aneutronic fusion as a viable technology platform and establish benchmarks for future experimental validation.