Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science (OxCHEDS)

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:

Solid-state dynamics experiments at very high pressures and strain rates are becoming possible with high-power laser facilities, albeit over brief intervals of time and spatially small scales. To achieve extreme pressures in the solid state requires that the sample be kept cool, with T-sample < T-melt. To this end, a shockless, plasma-piston "drive" has been developed on the Omega laser, and a staged shock drive was demonstrated on the Nova laser. To characterize the drive, velocity interferometer measurements allow the high pressures of 10 to 200 GPa (0.1 to 2 Mbar) and strain rates of 10(6) to 10(8) s(-1) to be determined. Solid-state strength in the sample is inferred at these high pressures using the Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability as a "diagnostic." Lattice response and phase can be inferred for single-crystal samples from time-resolved X-ray diffraction. Temperature and compression in polycrystalline samples can be deduced from extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) measurements. Deformation mechanisms and residual melt depth can be identified by examining recovered samples. We will briefly review this new area of laser-based materials-dynamics research, then present a path forward for carrying these solid-state experiments to much higher pressures, P > 10(3) GPa (10 Mbar), on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

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.