Abstract
A quantum plasma screening model based on the density matrix formalism is used to investigate theoretically the thermonuclear reactions and in laser-generated plasmas over a large range of densities and temperatures. For cold and dense (solid-state density) plasmas, our results show that quantum effects can enhance the plasma screening for thermonuclear reactions up to one order of magnitude compared with the classical case. This result can have impact on nuclear astrophysics predictions and also may play a role for fusion energy gain prospects. Our simulations allow us to identify the laser-generated plasma experimental setting in which the quantum effects on plasma screening could be confirmed at existing high-intensity laser facilities.
- Received 15 March 2021
- Revised 30 November 2021
- Accepted 9 March 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.L022004
Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI. Open access publication funded by the Max Planck Society.
Published by the American Physical Society