Neutrons are a valuable tool to characterize and study matter in many areas of science and industry. The production of neutrons has been performed mainly by the use of research reactors and spallation neutron sources. While these large-scale facilities are well established, they are also costly and in case of research reactors have to deal with nuclear material. In recent years a discussion has been started mainly triggered by the development of high current proton accelerators on alternative options to produce neutrons and build large research facilities.
In this context of alternative ways to produce neutrons also laser driven neutron sources have been discussed. As outlined in a recent report by a LENS initiative (https://lens-initiative.org/2022/06/10/neutron-science-in-europe/) such sources may become a future option in the suite of neutron production methods.
The goal of this workshop is to discuss the state-of-the-art and future perspectives of laser driven neutron sources.