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Photo-transmutation of long-lived radionuclide 135Cs by laser–plasma driven electron source

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2016

X.-L. Wang ,
Z.-Y. Tan ,
W. Luo ,
Z.-C. Zhu ,
X.-D. Wang  and
Y.-M. Song
X.-L. Wang
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China
Z.-Y. Tan
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China
W. Luo*
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics, “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), 30 Reactorului, 077125 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania
Z.-C. Zhu
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China
X.-D. Wang
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China
Y.-M. Song
Affiliation:
College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: W. Luo, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, 421001 Hengyang, China. E-mail: wenluo-ok@163.com
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Abstract

Laser-driven relativistic electrons can be focused onto a high-Z convertor for generating high-brightness γ-rays, which in turn can be used to induce photonuclear reactions. In this work, photo-transmutation of long-lived radionuclide 135Cs induced by laser–plasma–interaction-driven electron source is demonstrated using Geant4 simulation (Agostinelli et al., 2003 Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A506, 250). High-energy electron generation, bremsstrahlung, as well as photonuclear reaction are observed at four different laser intensities: 1020, 5 × 1020, 1021, and 5 × 1021 W/cm2. The transmutation efficiency depends on the laser intensity and target size. An optimum laser intensity, namely 1021 W/cm2, was found, with the corresponding photonuclear reaction yield reaching 108 J−1 of the laser energy. Laser-generated electrons can therefore be a promising tool for transmutation reactions. Potential application in nuclear waste management is suggested.

Keywords

Photo-transmutation135CsBremsstrahlung γ-raysNuclear wasteLaser ponderomotive acceleration
Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 34 , Issue 3 , September 2016 , pp. 433 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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