Search for low-energy nuclear transitions in laser-produced plasma

Abstract

The possibility to excite low-energy nuclear states using laser induced plasma on the Prague Asterix Laser System PALS is investigated. This medium-energy high-power facility yields interaction intensities at the level of 1016 ÷ 1017 Wcm−2 thus producing subrelativistic plasmas with electron temperature of the order of 1 ÷ 10 keV. Based on a systematic survey of suitable candidate nuclei, the search for the 6.238 keV excitation and decay in 181Ta has been initiated. Tests and preliminary operation of detecting systems including active detectors are reported.