SCIENCE
Scientific papers and seminars from HB11 Energy and our collaborators
Scientific Papers
2025
Surface Wave Electron Acceleration from Flat Foils at Parallel Laser Incidence
The acceleration of electrons by surface plasma waves (SPWs) generated during the interaction of ultrashort, linearly polarized, and contrast-enhanced laser pulses at a peak intensity of ∼6 × 1020 Wcm−2 with flat, noncorrugated foils at parallel incidence (with respect to the target surface) is investigated. We experimentally demonstrate the generation of a collimated electron beam (< 0.6 mrad) with a non Maxwellian spectrum, characterized by peaks at superponderomotive energies (30–36 MeV) and total charge ∼120 pC. Through particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we identify the J × B force at the front edge as the primary mechanism for injecting electrons into the SPW, where they are further accelerated. Furthermore, our simulation findings reveal that lateral surface contaminants influence SPW dynamics and give rise to a long-ranging plasmonic mode.
DownloadHydrogen boron fusion in confined geometries
High-energy, short-pulse laser-driven proton–boron (p–B) fusion has attracted growing interest due to its aneutronic character and potential for clean energy generation. In this study, we report on two experimental campaigns carried out at the LFEX laser facility. Our results demonstrate that spherical targets can enhance α-particle production by up to two orders of magnitude compared to planar targets of identical composition and also lead to a noticeable shift of the α-particle energy spectrum toward higher values.
DownloadCharacterization and performance of the Apollon main short pulse laser beam following its commissioning at 2 PW level
We present the results of the second commissioning phase of the short-focal-length area of the Apollon laser facility, located in Saclay, France. This phase was conducted using the main laser beam (F1), scaled to a peak power of 2 PW. Under the tested conditions, the F1 beam delivered on-target pulses with a maximum energy of up to 45J and a duration of 22 fs. Several diagnostics were deployed to assess the facility’s performance. Key measurements included the on-target focal spot and its spatial stability, along with characterizations of secondary sources generated by irradiating solid targets. These evaluations aim at assisting users in designing future experiments. The laser-target interactions were thoroughly characterized, with emissions of energetic ions, x rays, and neutrons recorded, demonstrating good laser-to target coupling efficiency. Additionally, we successfully demonstrated the simultaneous operation of the F1 beam with the auxiliary 0.5 PW F2 beam of Apollon, enabling dual-beam operation. This commissioning phase paves the way for the next stage in 2025, which will involve scaling the F1 beam to 8 PW, progressing toward the ultimate goal of achieving 10 PW power.
DownloadAlpha particle production from novel targets via laser-driven proton-boron fusion
Over the past two decades, there has been a growing interest on the proton-boron11 p B 11 fusion reaction. The p B 11 fusion reaction is aneutronic and coupled with the abundant availability of B 11 fuel, representing 80% of naturally occurring boron makes the reaction a popular and possible alternative to deuterium-tritium fusion for energy generation. Beyond energy production, p B 11 fusion could be used as a secondary source of energetic alpha particles, offering promising medical applications such as the production of radioisotopes for use in medical imaging or to enhance the effectiveness of proton therapy.
DownloadGeneration of radioisotopes for medical applications using high-repetition, high-intensity lasers
We used the PW high-repetition laser facility VEGA-3 at Centro de Láseres Pulsados in Salamanca, with the goal of studying the generation of radioisotopes using laser-driven proton beams. Various types of targets have been irradiated, including in particular several targets containing boron to generate α-particles through the hydrogen–boron fusion reaction. We have successfully identified γ-ray lines from several radioisotopes created by irradiation using laser-generated α-particles or protons including 43Sc, 44Sc, 48Sc, 7Be, 11C and 18F. We show that radioisotope generation can be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate α-particle generation in laser-driven proton–boron fusion experiments. We also show the production of 11C radioisotopes, ≈6×106 , and of 44Sc radioisotopes, ≈5×104 per laser shot. This result can open the way to develop laser-driven radiation sources of radioisotopes for medical applications.
Download2024
Saturation of the compression of two interacting magnetized plasma toroids evidenced in the laboratory
Interactions between magnetic fields advected by matter play a fundamental role in the Universe at a diverse range of scales. A crucial role these interactions play is in making turbulent fields highly anisotropic, leading to observed ordered fields. These in turn, are important evolutionary factors for all the systems within and around. Despite scant evidence, due to the difficulty in measuring even near-Earth events, the magnetic field compression factor in these interactions, measured at very varied scales, is limited to a few. However, compressing matter in which a magnetic field is embedded, results in compression up to several thousands. Here we show, using laboratory experiments and matching three-dimensional hybrid simulations, that there is indeed a very effective saturation of the compression when two independent parallel-oriented magnetic fields regions encounter one another due to plasma advection.
DownloadLaser-Driven Proton-Only Acceleration in a Multicomponent Near-Critical-Density Plasma
An experimental investigation of collisionless shock ion acceleration is presented using a multicomponent plasma and a high-intensity picosecond duration laser pulse. Protons are the only accelerated ions when a near-critical-density plasma is driven by a laser with a modest normalized vector potential. The results of particle-in-cell simulations imply that collisionless shock may accelerate protons alone selectively, which can be an important tool for understanding the physics of inaccessible collisionless shocks in space and astrophysical plasma.
DownloadUltrarelativistic Fe plasma with GJ/cm3 energy density created by femtosecond laser pulses
The generation of a plasma with an ultrahigh energy density of 1.2 GJ/cm3 (which corresponds to about 12 Gbar pressure) is investigated by irradiating thin stainless-steel foils with high-contrast femtosecond laser pulses with relativistic intensities of up to 1022 W/cm2. The plasma parameters are determined by X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that most of the laser energy is absorbed by the plasma at solid density, indicating that no pre-plasma is generated in the current experimental setup.
DownloadA kinetic study of fusion burn waves in compressed deuterium–tritium and proton–boron plasmas
From our Simulations program through the US DoE’s INFUSE project, reporting on our work with the TIFORCE simulation code which is now a valuable tool for our Fuel physics program. It also includes nice results suggesting how we can recapture high temperature radiation to enhance a fusion burn.
DownloadOn the ignition of H11B fusion fuel
From our Theory program, we’ve advanced our understanding of “Supra-thermal” effects (same as non-thermal effects we’re referred to previously), including setting some of the key engineering boundary conditions on which we have begun our fusion power plant design work. Internally, this model has since been advanced into our own simulation tool.
DownloadAmmonia borane-based targets for new developments in laser-driven proton boron fusion
Nuclear fusion reactions involving protons and boron-11 nuclei are sparking increasing interest thanks to advancements in high-intensity, short-pulse laser technology. This type of reaction holds potential for a wide array of applications, from controlled nuclear fusion to radiobiology and cancer therapy. In line with this motivation, solid ammonia borane samples were developed as target material for proton-boron (pB) nuclear fusion. Following synthesis and shaping, these samples were tested for the first time in a laser-plasma pB fusion experiment.
DownloadEnhanced Energy, Conversion Efficiency and Collimation of Protons Driven by High-Contrast and Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Enhancing the efficiency of laser energy into particles needed to ignite fusion.
DownloadMetrology for sub-Rayleigh-length target positioning in ∼1022 W/cm2 laser–plasma experiments
Tight focusing with very small f-numbers is necessary to achieve the highest at-focus irradiances. However, tight focusing imposes strong demands on precise target positioning in-focus to achieve the highest on-target irradiance. We describe several near-infrared, visible, ultraviolet and soft and hard X-ray diagnostics employed in a ∼1022 W/cm2 laser–plasma experiment. We used nearly 10 J total energy femtosecond laser pulses focused into an approximately 1.3-μm focal spot on 5–20 μm thick stainless-steel targets. We discuss the applicability of these diagnostics to determine the best in-focus target position with approximately 5 μm accuracy (i.e., around half of the short Rayleigh length) and show that several diagnostics (in particular, 3 ω reflection and on-axis hard X-rays) can ensure this accuracy. We demonstrated target positioning within several micrometers from the focus, ensuring over 80% of the ideal peak laser intensity on-target. Our approach is relatively fast (it requires 10–20 laser shots) and does not rely on the coincidence of low-power and high-power focal planes.
DownloadMetrology for sub-Rayleigh-length target positioning in ∼1022 W/cm2 laser–plasma experiments
Diagnostics – how to get the most valuable information from laser experiments.
DownloadPhysics of Plasma: From KMS Fusion to HB11 Energy and Xcimer Energy, a personal 50 year IFE perspective
A historical perspective of the evolution of the private laser fusion industry by Prof. Tom Mehlhorn
Download2023
Laser and Particles Beams Special Issue – Advances in the Study of Laser-Driven Proton-Boron Fusion
Editorial by D. Batani, D. Margarone, F. Belloni
DownloadHB11 – Understanding Hydrogen-Boron Fusion as a New Clean Energy Source
The hydrogen-boron 11 (HB11), also known as proton-boron, fusion reaction is a most promising candidate for large-scale energy production in a bid to curb the future use of climate-impacting fossil fuels.
Download2022
Laser and Particle Beams Special Issue – Advances In the Study of Laser-Driven Proton-Boron Fusion
Path to Increasing p-B11 Reactivity via ps and ns Lasers
DownloadLaser and Particle Beams: Modeling of High-Energy Particles and Radiation Production for Multi Petawatt Laser Facilities
DownloadLaser and Particle Beams Special Issue – Advances In the Study of Laser-Driven Proton-Boron Fusion
Multiplication Processes in High-Density H-11B Fusion Fuel
DownloadLaser and Particle Beams Special Issue – Advances In the Study of Laser-Driven Proton-Boron Fusion:
Analysis of the p-11B Fusion Scenario with Compensation of the Transfer of Kinetic Energy of Protons and Alpha Particles to the Gas Medium by the Electric Field
DownloadLaser and Particle Beams Special Issue – Advances In the Study of Laser-Driven Proton-Boron Fusion: Particles Detection System with CR-39 Based on Deep Learning
DownloadWhite Paper – The Case for Petawatt Laser Research Infrastructure in Australia
DownloadApplied Sciences: In-Target Proton–Boron Nuclear Fusion Using a PW-Class Laser
Download2021
2020
2019
HB11 Energy 2019 September, IFSA Conference and ANA Meeting: Pressure of picosecond CPA laser pulses substitute ultrahigh thermal pressures to ignite environmentally clean hydrogen boron fusion
DownloadHB11 Energy 2019 July: First dominating non-thermal pressures by CPA-laser pulses in contrast to billion degree thermal pressures for fusion
DownloadHB11 Energy 2019 May: Environmentally Clean Energy from Laser Boron Fusion using CPA pulses
DownloadHB11 Energy 2019 May, ICMRE Conference: Reducing problem of very high temperatures to ignite fusion by using non-thermal pressures of extreme CPA-laser pulses
DownloadHB11 Energy April 2019: Non-thermal pressures by ultra-extreme CPA-laser pulses generating environmentally clean fusion energy for abundant electricity
DownloadHB11 Energy 2019 February, GSI Report: CPA-Laser Pulses for Non-Thermal Initiation of Laser-Boron-Fusion
Download2018
HB11 Energy 2018 November, American Nuclear Society: Extreme CPA-Laser Pulses for Environmentally Clean Laser Boron Fusion
DownloadHB11 Energy 2018 October, IAEA Fusion Energy Conference: H-11B Fusion Reaction with Extreme Laser Pulses for Non-LTE Ignition
DownloadHB11 Energy 2018 October: Physics Nobel Prize 2018 supports fight against Climatic Catastrophe
DownloadHB11 Energy 2018 July: Crucial Non-Thermal Ignition for Gaining Electrical Energy from Laser Boron Fusion
DownloadHB11 Energy 2018 February: Summary of scientific developments on Laser Boron Fusion
Download2015
HB11 Energy 2015 July, Cambridge University: Fusion-energy-using-avalanche-increased-boron-reactions-for-block-ignition-by-ultrahigh-power-picosecond-laser-pulses
DownloadVideos
Seminar Series
Our Seminar Series covers scientific discussions among industry experts who are developing Laser Boron Fusion for the energy transition. Outcomes from some of these seminars will be published in academic journals.
03
April
2025
Prof. Yunfeng Liang, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany: Overview of the physics design of the EHL-2 spherical torus
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns).
13
March
2025
Dr. I. C. Edmond Turcu, UKRI/STFC Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK: Neutron and Ion Sources from Nuclear Fusion Reactions in Laser-Driven Ammonia Borane Fusion Fuels
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns).
27
February
2025
Dr. Evgeny Filippov, Spanish Centre for Pulsed Lasers (CLPU), Spain: Optimization of laser-driven proton acceleration for fusion-relevant experiments at a high-repetition-rate at Centro de Láseres Pulsados
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns).
13
February
2025
Prof. Olga Rosmej, GSI and Goethe University, Germany: Ultra-bright DLA-based beams of particles and radiation using foams converted to NCD plasma
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns).
30
January
2025
Prof. Yashuhiko Sentoku, Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Japan: Fast heatwave ignition for high gain laser fusion for IFE
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applicatiOns).
16
January
2025
Marco Tosca, ELI Beamlines Facility & Charles University, Czech Republic: Advance target synthesis for laser-driven proton-boron fusion
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
06
June
2024
Prof. Umit B. Demirci, University of Montpellier, France: BH, BNH and BNCH materials
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
02
May
2024
Dr. Tom Mehlhorn, Lead Theoretician – HB11 Energy, Australia, University of Michigan, USA: From KMS Fusion to HB11 Energy and Xcimer Energy, a 50 Year Inertial Fusion Energy Perspective
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
18
April
2024
Richard Magee, Sr Director of Physics R&D, TAE Technologies, USA: Measurements of p11B alphas in a magnetically confined plasma
This is part of the Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
28
March
2024
Prof. Lorenzo Manti, Physics Department, University of Naples, Italy: The proton-boron fusion reaction as a means to improve protontherapy effectiveness: radiobiological rationale, current status and future developments
This is the 14th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
29
February
2024
Dr. Fabio Belloni, School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Australia: The physics basis of proton-boron fusion
This is the 13th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
15
February
2024
Dr. Marcia Regina Dias Rodrigues, Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paolo, Brazil & Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University: Radioisotopes production using lasers: from basic science to applications
This is the 12th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
Zoom Meeting
25
January
2024
Dr. Yueng-Kay Martin Peng, ENN Energy Research Institute, China: Spherical Torus p-11B Fusion Plasma Physics Challenges and Opportunities
This is the 11th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
11
January
2024
Prof. Paata J. Kervalishvili, Georgian Technical University, Georgia: Isotope Effects in Condensed Matter: Some Applications
This is the 10th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
22
June
2023
Paul Moroz, WA Peritonectomy Service & Curtin University, Australia: Treatment of Liver Cancer Based on Nuclear Hyperthermia
This is the 9th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
26
May
2023
Fabrizio Consoli, ENEA, Italy: Laser-Initiated 11B(p,α)2α fusion reactions in petawatt high-repetition-rates laser facilities
This is the 8th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
18
May
2023
Dieter H.H. Hoffmann, Dept. of Laser and Particle Beams, Xi ‘An Jiatong University, China: Recent Results on Proton-11Boron Reaction obtained in Accelerator and Laser-Plasma Experiments
This is the 7th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
04
May
2023
Martina Salvadori,Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory, National Institute of Options, Italy: Advanced Time-Of-Flight schemes for ion spectrometry in laser-driven experiments
This is the 6th of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
31
March
2023
Pablo Cirrone, INFN – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Italy: Studies on Proton Boron Fusion Reactions and applications at INFN-LNS
This is the fifth of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
17
March
2023
Daniel Molloy, Queen’s University Belfast: In-target Proton-Boron fusion driven using the multi-TW TARANIS Laser System
This is the fourth of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
02
March
2023
Alessandro Tentori, CEA, France: Development of Monte Carlo codes “adapted” for laser-matter experiments
16
February
2023
Hartmut Ruhl, Marvel Fusion: Short pulse volume ignition
This is the third of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
02
February
2023
Edmund Turcu, CLF RAL, UK: New Hydrogen Rich materials for Micro-structured Laser-Targets for Alpha Sources generated by Proton-Boron Fusion
This is the second of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
19
January
2023
Alex Robinson, CLF RAL, UK: Intense laser-generated ion beams propagating in plasmas
This is the first of the Energy Seminar Series on Hydrogen-Boron Fusion, organized by HB11 Energy and by the COST Action PROBONO (PROton BOron Nuclear fusion: from energy production to medical applications).
19
May
2022
Prof Ying (Ian) Chen, Dr Qiran Cai, Dr Srikanth Mateti, Deakin University: Boron nanomaterials and their applications
24
March
2022
Maria Gatu Johnson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Exploring Stellar Nucleosynthesis and Basic Nuclear Science using High Energy Density plasmas at OMEGA and the NIF
01
March
2022
Antonino Picciotto, Micro Nano Facility, Sensors and Devices Centre, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy: Advanced targets for laser driven particle acceleration and nuclear fusion applications
17
February
2022
Mike Campbell, University of Rochester: Perspectives on IFE and a development pathway
10
February
2022
Dong Wu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Effects of the state of boron on the laser-driven proton-boron fusion reaction
13
January
2022
Fabrizio Consoli, ENEA Research Centre, Frascati: Diagnostics of proton-boron fusion reactions initiated by laser-matter interaction
Zoom meeting
09
December
2021
Yu. K. Kurilenkov: Proton-boron fusion in a compact scheme of plasma oscillatory confinement
02
December
2021
Jonathan Peebles, University of Rochester: Creating, measuring and utilizing strong magnetic fields
18
November
2021
Noaz Nissim: A discussion on avalanche and stopping power mechanisms in PB11 fusion for power production
04
November
2021
Daniele Margarone: Generation of alpha-particle beams at 1 kHz through proton-boron fusion
30
September
2021
M.L. Shmatov, Ioffe Institute: Analysis of some assumptions about the high potential importance of avalance proton-boron11 fusion reactions
22
July
2021
Paraskevas Lalousis: Multi-fluid plasma physics and the effect of the magnetic field on mass separation of ions in HB11 fusion
08
July
2021
Prof. Heinrich Hora, University of New South Wales: Non-thermal ignition of controlled fusion
Zoom meeting
01
July
2021
Stavros Moustaiz, Technical University of Crete: Numerical investigations on alpha heating effects for fusion Ignition process in Hydrogen–Boron plasma
24
June
2021
Tom Mehlhorn: Increasing p-B11 reactivity via PS and NS lasers – modeling, diagnostics, and validation
10
June
2021
Philippe Nicolai, University of Bordeaux: Energetic α-particle sources produced by high energy, high intensity laser beams
27
May
2021
