Submission Deadlines:

• Abstracts: 31st January 2025
• Full Papers: 1st July 2025

Late submissions may still be considered, but their inclusion in the collection will depend on the timely completion of the review process.

Motivation:

The IWPBF 2024 Thematic Collection on Proton-Boron Fusion aims mainly to gather the latest research and breakthroughs in the broad field of laser-triggered p-¹¹B fusion, but welcomes also different schemes such as those exploiting magnetic confinement.

The conventional route to nuclear fusion for power generation is based on the reaction between deuterium and tritium nuclei, which yields one alpha particle and one fast neutron (14.1 MeV energy). These neutrons pose classical challenges in handling and managing activated materials in the vacuum vessel. The p-¹¹B fusion reaction produces instead three alpha particles and no neutron and can thus be a solution to this problem. Moreover, the reactants are very abundant in nature and are stable, unlike T in DT reaction.

Unfortunately, the ignition temperature of p-¹¹B is much higher than that of DT, and this places severe limits on the exploitation of this reaction in thermonuclear schemes for energy production. Nevertheless, during the last twenty years a great progress has been achieved in the experimental alpha-particle yield in laser-triggered p-¹¹B experiments. The fast improvement of performances for the new high-power and high-energy lasers requires today thorough theoretical and experimental studies on effective high-yield schemes of laser-driven proton-boron fusion. This, on one side, to investigate potential advanced ignition schemes and, on the other side, for the creation of localized sources of alpha particles for applications, such as for medical treatments.

This collection will showcase innovative contributions on theory and simulation, advanced approaches, diagnostics and targets related to laser-triggered p-¹¹B fusion, on applications of alpha-particle streams generated in these schemes for multidisciplinary applications and, in addition, on the possibility to use clinical proton beams to trigger pB reactions in tumours. Works regarding different schemes, such as those exploiting magnetic confinement, are also welcome.

The goal is to reflect the cutting-edge developments presented at the 4###sup/sup### International Workshop on Proton-Boron Fusion (IWPBF 2024, ENEA - Centro Ricerche Frascati, 2024), providing a platform for experts to share insights and explore new frontiers in laser fusion, plasma physics, advanced diagnostics and targets, and applications. This thematic collection invites researchers to submit papers that address theoretical, experimental, and computational advances in these topics.

Scope and Topics:

We seek submissions that cover a wide range of topics aligned with IWPBF 2024’s focus, including but not limited to:

Theory and simulation - The use of high-power laser pulses to initiate proton-boron fusion reactions in a plasma can be optimized through a chain of advanced numerical codes that allows to describe most of the involved physical processes. On the other hand, the theory of proton-boron fusion in laser-generated plasmas is of key importance for the investigation and prediction of new approaches towards sustainable fusion for future applications. Discussions on different schemes, such as those exploiting magnetic confinement, are also welcome.

Advanced fusion approaches - Despite the impressive increase of the pB fusion reaction yield demonstrated experimentally in the last decade, the possible use of such a reaction for net energy production still requires the investigation of innovative regimes. Novel approaches, both theoretical and experimental, are required to further enhance the pB fusion reaction yield in plasmas.

Diagnostics and Targets - Several experiments recently conducted in laser-produced plasmas have revived the research investigation around pB fusion. The main products of such nuclear reaction (alpha-particles) have been systematically enhanced. The choice and optimization of the used target plays a key role for such fusion rate enhancement. In parallel, innovative diagnostic techniques and methodologies have been developed and tested.

Applications - Intense α-particle streams generated in the pB fusion can be potentially used in multidisciplinary applications, such as production of radioisotopes of medical interest for PET or for radiotherapy. In addition, the possibility to use clinical proton beams to trigger pB reactions in tumours, with the goal to increase locally both LET and RBE, thus, to enhance the proton therapy efficacy, is also experimentally investigated.

Paper Types:

We welcome both review papers and original research articles that present significant advancements in theory, experiment, or simulations. Papers should:

• Provide an overview of the history and state-of-the-art of the chosen topic.
• Identify current challenges and gaps in the field.
• Present new research findings, experimental results, or theoretical models (as applicable).
• Offer recommendations for future research and technology development.

We particularly encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative work from researchers across different institutions, to stimulate cross-cutting innovation in the field of laser-matter interactions.

Important Submission Process: Two-Step Approach

This Thematic Collection will follow a two-step submission process:

1. Extended Abstract Submission:

• Length: 1000–2000 words outlining the key topics, introducing the authors (including the corresponding author), and detailing the research focus.
• Format: File name should follow this format: TC- IWPBF2024-<corresponding author last name>_<first name>-<short_title> e.g., TC-2024-Rossi_Mario-Laser_Aneutronic_Fusion
• Submission: Send abstracts via email to: workshop.pb2024@enea.it CC: fabrizio.consoli@enea.it, pablo.cirrone@lns.infn.it, picciotto@fbk.eu
• Subject Line: “IWPBF2024 TC Abstract Submission” 
• Deadline: 31st January 2025

2. Full Paper Submission: Following acceptance of the abstract, authors will be invited to submit full papers for peer review. Acceptance of abstracts does not imply acceptance of the final paper. 

Deadline: 1st July 2025

Guest Editors:

F. Consoli, ENEA – Centro Ricerche Frascati, Frascati, Italy

G.A.P. Cirrone, INFN - Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Catania, Italy

A. Picciotto, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Sensors and Devices Centre, MNF, Trento, Italy