Abstract:
An analysis is made of the scattering, on the target nuclei, of neutrons formed during heating and compression of a laser fusion target. The Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the distortion of the DDneutron spectrum due to the scattering by a spherical target of deuterated polyethylene $(CD_2)_n$. The calculations are carried out for a model (constant) and realistic profiles of the target core $\rho(r)$, where $r$ is the distance from the target center. It is shown that the number of scattered neutrons $n$ is in one-to-one correspondence with the optical thickness along the target radius. If the density is constant, we have $n=\operatorname{const}\cdot\rho(r)^{2/3}$. The results obtained can be used in determination of the density of experimental targets.