Ultrashort pulsed neutron source

We report on a novel compact laser-driven neutron source with an unprecedented short pulse duration (<50ps) and high peak flux (>1018n/cm2/s), an order of magnitude higher than any existing source. In our experiments, high-energy electron jets are generated from thin (<3μm) plastic targets irradiated by a petawatt laser. These intense electron beams are employed to generate neutrons from a metal converter. Our method opens venues for enhancing neutron radiography contrast and for creating astrophysical conditions of heavy element synthesis in the laboratory.