Polarization Persists in Laser-Plasma Acceleration, Boosting Fusion Prospects

Researchers have shown for the first time that the polarization (spin alignment) of particles is preserved during laser-plasma acceleration, a breakthrough for compact fusion research. Using pre-polarized Helium-3, the PHELIX laser, and CR-39 detectors, the team demonstrated that spin alignment survives high-gradient acceleration, which can increase fusion reaction probabilities and enable new physics experiments beyond the Standard Model.