I don’t understand how high-intensity CPA photons with wavelengths in order of a micron are supposed to have any effect on the nucleus, but there definitely are

I don’t understand how high-intensity CPA photons with wavelengths in order of a micron are supposed to have any effect on the nucleus, but there definitely are a lot of electrons ready to absorb them. Regardless, there are many much more efficient ways to generate thermal neutrons if that’s what he’s after, which agree with, and you can get controlled energy out of it! Years ago I proposed a small nuclear waste fueled engine design based on this principle.