Ultrahigh-density spin-polarized hydrogen isotopes from the photodissociation of hydrogen halides: new applications for laser-ion acceleration, magnetometry, and polarized nuclear fusion

Abstract

Spin-polarized hydrogen: production by photodissociation A laser-based scheme to produce spin-polarized hydrogen (SPH) at much higher densities than conventional methods could create new opportunities in physics. In a review of the topic, Alexandros Spiliotis and coworkers from the University of Create and FORTH Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser in Greece describe how the use of circularly polarized, pulsed ultraviolet laser light can produce SPH with a density of 1019 cm-3 by photodissociation of hydrogen halide molecules. This high-density production approach brings many benefits including the prospect of ultrafast magnetometry and the generation of high energy beams of spin-polarized electrons, protons or deuterons by laser-plasma acceleration. Furthermore, spin-polarized nuclear fusion is expected to be more efficient than conventional fusion.