Oxford Centre for High Energy Density Science (OxCHEDS)

Abstract:

The extension of the atomic kinetics code suite FLY to a multi-cell postprocessor for hydrodynamic plasma simulation codes, called SWARM is presented. First, the collisional radiative model on which FLY is based is reviewed as far as it corresponds to the model in SWARM, then more attention is paid to the differences. Multiple cell simulations require a more complicated algorithm to solve the radiative transfer problem, taking into account geometry and point of observation. The feedback of the radiation on the atomic state populations is taken into account in a more sophisticated escape factor model. Finally, the limitations of the model are discussed. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

We present detailed simulations of the optical spectra emitted from an Argon plasma whose conditions correspond to those thought to prevail within sonoluminescing bubbles. The model incorporates detailed atomic physics based on atomic data from the Opacity Project database, and includes bound-bound, bound-free, and free-free transitions. Line broadening is treated by use of the modified semi-empirical method. The spectral model is used as a postprocessor of hydrodynamic simulations. We find good agreement with experimental spectra and accurately reproduce experimental pulse widths. We also predict that whilst the majority of the optical emission corresponds to bound-free transitions, there remains the possibility of observing line emission in both the UV and IR regions of the spectrum. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

Protons of energies up to 37 MeV have been generated when ultra-intense lasers (up to 1020Wcm-2) interact with hydrogen containing solid targets. These protons can be used to induce nuclear reactions in secondary targets to produce β+-emitting nuclei of relevance to the nuclear medicine community, namely 11C and 13N via (p,n) and (p,α) reactions. Activities of the order of 200 kBq have been measured from a single laser pulse interacting with a thin solid target. The possibility of using ultra-intense lasers to produce commercial amounts of short-lived positron emitting sources for positron emission tomography (PET) is discussed. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.