First spectral measurement of deuterium-tritium fusion γ rays in inertial fusion experiments

Abstract

The $R$-matrix analysis of $A=5$ nuclear systems has been partially validated by applying the technique to the $^{5}\mathrm{Li}$ system and comparing the predicted $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrum with historical data. $R$-matrix analysis of the similar $^{5}\mathrm{He}$ system was then used to predict the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectral shape for the deuterium-tritium (DT) reaction. The resulting spectra have been used in the analysis of DT implosions on the Omega laser where the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray interaction rate was measured by a gas Cherenkov detector. Comparison of predictions to experiment confirmed the presence of both 16.75 and $\ensuremath{\approx}13$ MeV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray contributions; analysis, using $R$-matrix spectra, yielded a ratio of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray emission from a transition to the intermediate excited state to that from a transition to the ground state of $(2.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4):1$, substantiating the first spectral measurement of the DT fusion $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray in an inertial fusion environment.