Prof Peter Norreys FInstP;

Abstract:

The use of a single-photon-counting x-ray charge-coupled device (CCD) camera as an x-ray spectrometer is a well-established technique in ultrashort-pulse laser experiments. In single-photon-counting mode, the pixel value of each readout pixel is proportional to the energy deposited from the incident x-ray photon. For photons below 100 keV, a significant fraction of the events deposits all the energy in a single pixel. A histogram of the pixel readout values gives a good approximation of the x-ray spectrum. This technique requires almost no alignment, but it is very sensitive to signal-to-background issues, especially in a high-energy petawatt environment. Shielding the direct line of sight to the target was not sufficient to obtain a high-quality spectrum, for the experiments reported here the CCD camera had to be shielded from all sides with up to 10 cm of lead. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

High-power lasers that fit into a university-scale laboratory can now reach focused intensities of more than 10 19 W cm -2 at high repetition rates. Such lasers are capable of producing beams of energetic electrons, protons and γ-rays. Relativistic electrons are generated through the breaking of large-amplitude relativistic plasma waves created in the wake of the laser pulse as it propagates through a plasma, or through a direct interaction between the laser field and the electrons in the plasma. However, the electron beams produced from previous laser-plasma experiments have a large energy spread, limiting their use for potential applications. Here we report high-resolution energy measurements of the electron beams produced from intense laser-plasma interactions, showing that-under particular plasma conditions-it is possible to generate beams of relativistic electrons with low divergence and a small energy spread (less than three per cent). The monoenergetic features were observed in the electron energy spectrum for plasma densities just above a threshold required for breaking of the plasma wave. These features were observed consistently in the electron spectrum, although the energy of the beam was observed to vary from shot to shot. If the issue of energy reproducibility can be addressed, it should be possible to generate ultrashort monoenergetic electron bunches of tunable energy, holding great promise for the future development of 'table-top' particle accelerators.

Abstract:

The investigation of proton and heavy ion acceleration was carried out in ultrahigh intensity laser plasma interactions using VULCAN lasers. The first spatially integrated measurement of proton and heavy ion acceleration was performed with nuclear activation techniques. High-intensity laser-plasma interactions provide a unique and potentially important source of nuclear radiation for radioisotope production. By controlling the target conditions and the accelerated ion beam properties, the production of radioisotopes can be controlled effectively.

Abstract:

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful diagnostic/imaging technique requiring the production of the short-lived positron emitting isotopes 11C, 13N, 15O and 18F by proton irradiation of natural/enriched targets using cyclotrons. The development of PET has been hampered due to the size and shielding requirements of nuclear installations. Recent results show that when an intense laser beam interacts with solid targets, megaelectronvolt (MeV) protons capable of producing PET isotopes are generated. This report describes how to generate intense PET sources of 11C and 18F using a petawatt laser beam. The work describing the laser production of 18F through a (p,n) 18O reaction, and the subsequent synthesis of 2-[18F] is reported for the first time. The potential for developing compact laser technology for this purpose is discussed.