The Non-thermal Energy Window for Laser-Driven Nuclear Reactions

Abstract

Laser-driven nuclear reactions proceed in non-equilibrium plasma conditions, producing ion energy distributions that are not Maxwellian. Nevertheless, fusion yields in such experiments are often interpreted using effective thermal descriptions based on the conventional Gamow window. In this work, we develop an analytical framework for evaluating nuclear reaction rates for non-thermal ions accelerated by the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. Using a self-similar plasma expansion model, we derive a closed form expression for an effective reaction energy window and the corresponding fusion reactivity. The resulting effective energies differ systematically from those predicted by thermal models, indicating limitations of interpretations based on the conventional Gamow window in laser-driven environments. This framework provides a quantitative basis for analyzing fusion yields and for designing laser-driven nuclear experiments.