EPJ Plus Focus Point Issue: Laser-driven neutron sources and their applications

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Published on 23 June 2025

Guest Editors: S. Charisopoulos, M. Roth

Recent advances in high-power laser technology have led to the development of lasers producing extremely short light pulses in the femtosecond range with very high intensities exceeding 1021 Watt/cm2. By guiding these pulses onto a solid foil, intense sources of photons, ions and neutrons can be generated, which can subsequently be used for a wide spectrum of applications, such as non-destructive testing methods in aerospace; radiographic imaging of large objects; in-operando diagnostics of lithium-ion batteries; radiation processing to fabricate smart, functional materials; and active interrogation of sensitive nuclear materials, including nuclear waste characterization. Due to these features, Laser-Driven Neutron and X-ray sources may have a large potential for contributing to socio-economic development.

The present Focus Point on Laser-Driven Neutron Sources and Their Applications is a collection of papers addressing some of the potential applications of laser driven neutron sources as well as some R&D work aiming at optimizing setups and procedures for the production of high-flux neutrons using state-of-the art laser systems.

All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 16 August 2025. For further information, read the Editorial.