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Optimizing laser-accelerated electrons for laser-based X-ray radiography

POSTER

Abstract

The interaction of high-intensity lasers with solid-density or foam targets leads to the generation of multi-MeV electrons. When these electrons propagate through high-Z matter such as a mm-thick tungsten foil, they produce MeV x-rays that can be used for applications such as static and dynamic x-ray radiography. In this work, we use the VPIC kinetic plasma simulation code and the MCNP transport code to model the interaction of intense laser pulses with bare, CH-foam-coated, and CH-coated tungsten targets and show how laser target design provides a means for optimizing and controlling x-ray dose and spectrum. We explore the scaling of high-energy electron and x-ray production to laser pulse length, focal spot size, and intensity. We also explore the role of pre-plasma generated from finite laser pedestal in modifying the x-ray generation. Comparisons with recent experiments will also be presented.

Presenters

  • Lin Yin

    Los Alamos Natl Lab

Authors

  • Lin Yin

    Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Brian J Albright

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • Alemayahu Bogale

    Center for Energy Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA

  • juan c fernandez

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Rebecca Fitzgarrald

    University of Michigan, Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

  • Cort C Gautier

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA

  • Christopher E Hamilton

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Chengkun Huang

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • James Hunter

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Scott Luedtke

    Los Alamos Natl Lab., Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • Brandon M Medina

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • Tyler Mix

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Lab

  • Sasi Palaniyappan

    Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Lab

  • Alexander G Seaton

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • Avneet Sood

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • David Stark

    LANL, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

  • Joseph Strehlow

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Christopher Tomkins

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab

  • Ashlyn Van Pelt

    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL, Los Alamos Natl Lab