DD fusion from a polarized HD target

Abstract

AbstractRecently, we have proposed an experiment to test the persistence of the polarization in a fusion process (D+D→3He+n), using a powerful laser hitting a polarized HD target. The purpose of the present contribution is to examine in more detail the experimental constraints, to move from a principle proposal to a doable experiment. Some of the difficulties are as follows: Production of a windowless cryogenic HD target and target cryostat vacuum breakdown, identification of thermal fusion or accelerated deuterons, inducing nuclear reactions, and finally, a clear signature of the polarization persistence of the fused deuterons must be found. Those points will be reviewed and discussed in the scope of the new results presented at this conference.