Enhancement of the efficiency of the laser heating of plasma by the addition of heavy impurities to the target

A theoretical analysis is given of the influence of heavy impurities on the ion temperature of a plasma formed as a result of the interaction between an ultrashort (τ = 10^–11–10^–12 sec) laser pulse and the surface of a solid target. It is shown that an increase in the average charge of ions in a plasma containing deuterium (by the introduction of heavy-element impurities or by the use of heavy-element deuterides) may enhance the neutron yield of the thermonuclear reactions in the plasma.