With Nanoplasmonics towards Fusion

Abstract

A status report is presented about the Nanoplasmonic Laser Induced Fusion Experiment (NAPLIFE). The goal is to investigate and verify plasmonically enhanced phenomena on the surfaces of nanoantennas embedded in a polymer target at laser intensities up to a few times 1016 W/cm2 and pulse durations of 40–120 fs. The first results on enhanced crater formation for Au-doped polymer targets are shown, and SERS signals typical for CD2 and ND bound vibrations are cited. Trials to detect D/H ratio by means of LIBS measurments are reported. Plasmonics has the potential to work at these intensities, enhancing the energy and deuterium production, due to thus far unknown mechanisms.