Possible determination of target density for laser thermonuclear fusion from scattering of thermonuclear neutrons by the target material

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.