Radiochromic film (RCF) based multichannel diagnostics utilizes the concept of a stack detector comprised of alternating layers of RCFs and shielding aluminium layers. An algorithm based on SRIM simulations is used to correct the accumulated dose. Among the standard information that can be obtained is the maximum ion energy and to some extend the beam energy spectrum. The main area where this detector shines though is the geometrical characterization of the beam. Whereas other detectors such as Thomson parabola spectrometer or Faraday cups detect only a fraction of the outburst cone, the RCF stack placed right behind the target absorbs the whole beam. A complete 2D and to some extend 3D imprint of the ion beam allows us to determine parameters such as divergence or beam center shift with respect to the target normal. The obvious drawback of such diagnostics is its invasive character. But considering that only a few successful shots (2-3) are needed per one kind of target to perform the analysis, the drawbacks are acceptable. In this work, we present results obtained with the RCF diagnostics using both conventional accelerators and laser-driven ion beams during 2 experimental campaigns.
A PW Ti:Sapphire laser with 30-J energy and 30-fs pulse duration has been developed at GIST and applied to generate
x-rays and energetic charged particles. We present the status and plan of developing ultrashort x-ray sources and their
applications. We successfully demonstrated x-ray lasers and their applications to high-resolution imaging. In addition,
we plan to generate high flux x-ray/gamma-ray sources using the PW laser.
We have developed a 0.1-Hz-repetition-rate, 30-fs, 1.5-PW Ti:sapphire laser system for the research on high field physics. In this paper, we describe the design and output performance of the PW Ti:sapphire laser and its applications in the generation of relativistic high order harmonic generation and the acceleration of charged particles (protons and electrons). In the experiment on relativistic harmonic generation, the harmonic order dramatically extended up to 164th that corresponds to 4.9 nm in wavelength, and the dramatic extension was explained by the oscillatory flying mirror model. Recently, we could accelerate protons up to 45 MeV from a 10-nm polymer target and show the change in the acceleration mechanism from target normal sheath acceleration to radiation pressure acceleration. The femtosecond high power laser system is a good candidate for developing a compact electron accelerator as well. The generation of multi-GeV electron beam was observed from an injection scheme when a PW laser pulse was focused by a long focal length spherical mirror.
New particle acceleration regimes driven by PW class lasers imply the development of new in-situ diagnostics. Before constructing new types of detectors one must test currently available diagnostics in these new regimes of high intensity laser-matter interaction. Experimental tests on two types of time of flight detectors are presented, demonstrating the possibility of their measuring capabilities in harsh conditions, namely the strong laser induced electromagnetic pulse. A recently developed silicon carbide detector was successfully tested and particle beams were characterized. Further tests were performed on a detector based on secondary emission of electrons during the transition of laser accelerated particle beams. The presented results show a clear consistency and sufficient capabilities for high intensity laser driven particle beam detection.
The enhancement of laser-driven proton acceleration mechanism in TNSA regime has been demonstrated through the use of advanced nanostructured thin foils. The presence of a monolayer of polystyrene nanospheres on the target frontside has drastically enhanced the absorption of the incident laser beam, leading to a consequent increase in the maximum proton beam energy and total laser conversion efficiency. The experimental measurements have been carried out at the 100 TW and 1 PW laser systems available at the APRI-GIST facility. Experimental results and comparison with particle-in-cell numerical simulations are presented and discussed.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.