Cross-section measurements of triton-induced reactions with light nuclei*

Laser-ion acceleration mechanisms provide a unique opportunity for generating radioactive tritium beams, which are currently not available at accelerator facilities. Few datasets exist of tritium-induced reactions involving light, neutron rich nuclei like ⁶He, ⁸Li and ¹¹Be. However, these nuclei are of high interest for nuclear science because influence the r-process as “seed nuclei” and are also predicted to exhibit exotic structure. A new platform at the OMEGA-EP laser system at the University of Rochester (UR) Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is now in a position to support nuclear science experimentation. In a pilot study, 10¹³ tritons were accelerated to several MeV and directed onto a deuterated target, producing 10⁸ fusion neutrons. Follow-up experiments using lithium and beryllium targets to measure the cross sections of di-neutron transfer reactions on these light nuclei will be discussed.