Laser-driven Source Research Articles

Computational broadband imaging with laser-driven sequential light source arrays on a water film.

Imaging and computational processing fusion technologies have expanded the wavelength range that can be visualized. However, it is still challenging to realize a system that can image a wide range of wavelengths, including non-visible regions, in a single system. Here, we propose a broadband imaging system based on femtosecond-laser-driven sequential light source arrays. The light source arrays allow us to form ultra-broadband illumination light depending on the excitation target and irradiated pulse energy. We demonstrated X-ray and visible imaging under atmospheric pressure by using a water film as an excitation target. Furthermore, by applying a compressive sensing algorithm, the imaging time was reduced while maintaining the number of pixels in the reconstructed image.

Compact and low-cost deep-ultraviolet microscope system for label-free molecular imaging and point-of-care hematological analysis.

Deep-ultraviolet (UV) microscopy enables label-free, high-resolution, quantitative molecular imaging and enables unique applications in biomedicine, including the potential for fast hematological analysis at the point-of-care. UV microscopy has been shown to quantify hemoglobin content and white blood cells (five-part differential), providing a simple alternative to the current gold standard, the hematological analyzer. Previously, however, the UV system comprised a bulky broadband laser-driven plasma light source along with a large and expensive camera and 3D translation stage. Here, we present a modified deep-UV microscope system with a compact footprint and low-cost components. We detail the novel design with simple, inexpensive optics and hardware to enable fast and accurate automated imaging. We characterize the system, including a modified low-cost web-camera and custom automated 3D translation stage, and demonstrate its ability to scan and capture large area images. We further demonstrate the capability of the system by imaging and analyzing blood smears, using previously trained networks for automatic segmentation, classification (including 5-part white blood cell differential), and colorization. The developed system is approximately 10 times less expensive than previous configurations and can serve as a point-of-care hematology analyzer, as well as be applied broadly in biomedicine as a simple compact, low-cost, quantitative molecular imaging system.

Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets

Non-linear inverse Compton scattering (NICS) is of significance in laser-plasma physics and for application-relevant laser-driven photon sources. Given this interest, we investigated this synchrotron-like photon emission in a promising configuration achieved when an ultra-intense laser pulse interacts with a double-layer target (DLT). Numerical simulations with two-dimensional particle-in-cell codes and analytical estimates are used for this purpose. The properties of NICS are shown to be governed by the processes characterizing laser interaction with the near-critical and solid layers composing the DLT. In particular, electron acceleration, laser focusing in the low-density layer, and pulse reflection on the solid layer determine the radiated power, the emitted spectrum, and the angular properties of emitted photons. Analytical estimates, supported by simulations, show that quantum effects are relevant at laser intensities as small as ∼1021 W/cm2 Target and laser parameters affect the NICS competition with bremsstrahlung and the conversion efficiency and average energy of emitted photons. Therefore, DLT properties could be exploited to tune and enhance photon emission in experiments and future applications.

Laser-Driven Neutron Generation Realizing Single-Shot Resonance Spectroscopy

Experiments identify the mechanism that accelerates ions in a laser-driven neutron source (LDNS) as well as a scaling law for the neutron yield, key insights that move LDNS closer to practical neutron generation.

High deuteron and neutron yields from the interaction of a petawatt laser with a cryogenic deuterium jet

A compact high-flux, short-pulse neutron source would have applications from nuclear astrophysics to cancer therapy. Laser-driven neutron sources can achieve fluxes much higher than spallation and reactor neutron sources by reducing the volume and time in which the neutron-producing reactions occur by orders of magnitude. We report progress towards an efficient laser-driven neutron source in experiments with a cryogenic deuterium jet on the Texas Petawatt laser. Neutrons were produced both by laser-accelerated multi-MeV deuterons colliding with Be and mixed metallic catchers and by d (d,n)3He fusion reactions within the jet. We observed deuteron yields of 1013/shot in quasi-Maxwellian distributions carrying ∼8−10% of the input laser energy. We obtained neutron yields greater than 1010/shot and found indications of a deuteron-deuteron fusion neutron source with high peak flux (>1022 cm−2 s−1). The estimated fusion neutron yield in our experiment is one order of magnitude higher than any previous laser-induced dd fusion reaction. Though many technical challenges will have to be overcome to convert this proof-of-principle experiment into a consistent ultra-high flux neutron source, the neutron fluxes achieved here suggest laser-driven neutron sources can support laboratory study of the rapid neutron-capture process, which is otherwise thought to occur only in astrophysical sites such as core-collapse supernova, and binary neutron star mergers.

Feasibility study of laser-driven neutron sources for pharmaceutical applications

Abstract We predict the production yield of a medical radioisotope ${}^{67}$ Cu using ${}^{67}$ Zn(n, p) ${}^{67}$ Cu and ${}^{68}$ Zn(n, pn) ${}^{67}$ Cu reactions with fast neutrons provided from laser-driven neutron sources. The neutrons were generated by the p+ ${}^9\mathrm{Be}$ and d+ ${}^9$ Be reactions with high-energy ions accelerated by laser–plasma interaction. We evaluated the yield to be (3.3 $\pm$ 0.5) $\times$ 10 ${}^5$ atoms for ${}^{67}$ Cu, corresponding to a radioactivity of 1.0 $\pm$ 0.2 Bq, for a Zn foil sample with a single laser shot. Using a simulation with this result, we estimated ${}^{67}$ Cu production with a high-frequency laser. The result suggests that it is possible to generate ${}^{67}$ Cu with a radioactivity of 270 MBq using a future laser system with a frequency of 10 Hz and 10,000-s radiation in a hospital.

Laser-driven NIR light source based on MgO:Cr3+,Ni2+ phosphor-in-glass film for NIR spectroscopy application

A laser-driven NIR light source achieves effective NIR output optical power density under higher incident optical power density than NIR pc-LED, opening up a new avenue for the exploration of NIR spectroscopy technology.

A super-high brightness and excellent colour quality laser-driven white light source enables miniaturized endoscopy.

A laser-driven white light source promises intrinsic advantages for miniaturized endoscopic illumination. However, it remains a great challenge to simultaneously achieve high brightness and excellent colour rendition due to the shortage of highly efficient and thermally robust red-emitting laser phosphor converters. Here, we designed CaAlSiN3:Eu@Al (CASN@Al) converters with neglectable efficiency loss by tightly bonding all-inorganic phosphor films on an aluminium substrate. A layer-by-layer phosphor converter (LuAG/CASN@Al), i.e., stacking a green-emitting Lu3Al5O12:Ce (LuAG) layer on CASN@Al, was constructed to enhance light conversion efficiency and reduce reabsorption loss under blue laser excitation, which thus produces an excellent white light source with a luminous efficacy of 258 lm W-1 and a colour rendering index of 91. A miniaturized endoscopy with a coupling efficiency twice that of the commercial white LEDs was demonstrated by using the laser-driven white light and showed a central illuminance as high as 52 730 lx, more vivid images and long-term reliability.

Development of a bright MeV photon source with compound parabolic concentrator targets on the National Ignition Facility Advanced Radiographic Capability (NIF-ARC) laser

Compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) targets are utilized at the National Ignition Facility Advanced Radiographic Capability (NIF-ARC) laser to enhance the acceleration of electrons and production of high energy photons, for laser durations of 10 ps and energies up to 2.4 kJ. A large enhancement of mean electron energy (>2 ×) and photon brightness (>10×) is found with CPC targets compared to flat targets. Using multiple diagnostic techniques at different spatial locations and scaling by gold activation spatial data, photon spectra are characterized for Ephoton=0.5–30 MeV. Beam width and pointing variations are given. The efficient production of MeV photons at Ilaser≈2×1018 W/cm2 with CPCs is observed, with doses of >10 rad in air at 1 m for Ephoton>0.5 MeV; these exceed those previously reported with laser-driven sources. Using this source, sub-mm resolution radiographs are generated through large areal density radiograph objects. These results are promising for the development of bright MeV x-ray and particle sources on Petawatt class laser systems.

Versatile tape-drive target for high-repetition-rate laser-driven proton acceleration

Abstract We present the development and characterization of a high-stability, multi-material, multi-thickness tape-drive target for laser-driven acceleration at repetition rates of up to 100 Hz. The tape surface position was measured to be stable on the sub-micrometre scale, compatible with the high-numerical aperture focusing geometries required to achieve relativistic intensity interactions with the pulse energy available in current multi-Hz and near-future higher repetition-rate lasers ( $>$ kHz). Long-term drift was characterized at 100 Hz demonstrating suitability for operation over extended periods. The target was continuously operated at up to 5 Hz in a recent experiment for 70,000 shots without intervention by the experimental team, with the exception of tape replacement, producing the largest data-set of relativistically intense laser–solid foil measurements to date. This tape drive provides robust targetry for the generation and study of high-repetition-rate ion beams using next-generation high-power laser systems, also enabling wider applications of laser-driven proton sources.

Radiobiology experiments with a laser driven x-ray source: Exploring the UHDR regime

Laser Driven Plasma Accelerators (LDPA) can generate both characteristic and Bremsstrahlung x-rays in ultrashort bunches. Because of the high intensity of the laser pulses, these laser-induced x-ray sources can achieve peak dose rates compatible with the FLASH regime. At the Laser Laboratory for Acceleration and Applications (L2A2/USC), a setup for the irradiation of in vitro cell cultures with a laser-driven x-ray source has been developed. The suitability of this source for studying the influence of Ultra High Dose Rates (UHDR) on DNA damage has been proven through the irradiation of in vitro cell cultures.

Modeling of a Liquid Leaf Target TNSA Experiment Using Particle-In-Cell Simulations and Deep Learning

Liquid leaf targets show promise as high repetition rate targets for laser-based ion acceleration using the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism and are currently under development. In this work, we discuss the effects of different ion species and investigate how they can be leveraged for use as a possible laser-driven neutron source. To aid in this research, we develop a surrogate model for liquid leaf target laser-ion acceleration experiments, based on artificial neural networks. The model is trained using data from Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations. The fast inference speed of our deep learning model allows us to optimize experimental parameters for maximum ion energy and laser-energy conversion efficiency. An analysis of parameter influence on our model output, using Sobol’ and PAWN indices, provides deeper insights into the laser-plasma system.

Modeling the x-ray enhancement in foams for laser-driven soft x-ray sources

This paper investigates the mechanism that causes x-ray enhancement in high-Z foams for laser-driven soft x-ray sources. By simulation of one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics, it is found that the x-ray enhancement is mainly due to the effect that, in a foam target, shock wave compression significantly reduces the energy loss of hydrodynamic motion (kinetic energy). In a solid target this effect is negligible for its low compressibility. Expressions of kinetic energy reduction (ΔE k = E k,solid − E k,foam) are given to model the improvement of the laser-to-x-ray conversion efficiency. The ΔE k given by the model agrees with the simulation result with about a 15% error for foam density 0.07 – 0.3 g/cc and for laser intensity 0.4 × 1015–2.0 × 1015 W cm−2. The model indicates that the x-ray enhancement is more efficient with a lower foam density and higher laser intensity, which is also presented by the simulation results.

Ultra-compact x-ray spectrometer for high-repetition-rate laser-plasma experiments.

We present in this work the development of an ultra-compact, multi-channel x-ray spectrometer (UCXS). This diagnostic has been specially built and adapted to perform at high-repetition-rate (>1Hz) for high-intensity, short-pulse laser plasma experiments. X-ray filters of varying materials and thicknesses are chosen to provide spectral resolution up to ΔE ≈ 1keV over the x-ray energy range of 1-30keV. These filters are distributed over a total of 25 channels, where each x-ray filter is coupled to a single scintillator. The UCXS is designed to detect and resolve a large variety of laser-driven x-ray sources such as low energy bremsstrahlung emission, fluorescence, and betatron radiation (up to 30keV). Preliminary results from commissioning experiments at the ABL laser facility at Colorado State University are provided.

Enhanced collisionless laser absorption in strongly magnetized plasmas

Strongly magnetizing a plasma adds a range of waves that do not exist in unmagnetized plasmas and enlarges the laser-plasma interaction (LPI) landscape. In this paper, we use particle-in-cell simulations to investigate strongly magnetized LPI in one dimension under conditions relevant for magneto-inertial fusion experiments, focusing on a regime where the electron-cyclotron frequency is greater than the plasma frequency and the magnetic field is at an oblique angle with respect to the wave vectors. We show that when electron-cyclotron-like hybrid wave frequency is about half the laser frequency, the laser light resonantly decays to magnetized plasma waves via primary and secondary instabilities with large growth rates. These distinct magnetic-field-controlled instabilities, which we collectively call two-magnon decays, are analogous to two-plasmon decays in unmagnetized plasmas. Since additional phase mixing mechanisms are introduced by the oblique magnetic field, collisionless damping of large-amplitude magnetized waves substantially broadens the electron distribution function, especially along the direction of the magnetic field. During this process, energy is transferred efficiently from the laser to plasma waves and then to electrons, leading to a large overall absorptivity when strong resonances are present. The enhanced laser energy absorption may explain hotter-than-expected temperatures observed in magnetized laser implosion experiments and may also be exploited to develop more efficient laser-driven x-ray sources.

Laser-Driven Collimated Neutron Sources Based on Kinematic Focusing

Neutron beams are unique tools to probe samples in many fields, such as biology medicine and fusion research. Access to such sources is traditionally limited to large particle accelerators. However, laser-driven pulsed neutron sources have attracted attention in recent years due to their compactness and cost savings. Although, in practical applications, the major obstacle is terribly low neutron flux due to the isotropic scattering. Here we propose a roadmap for laser-driven neutron sources based on ``kinematic focusing,'' which is ideal for producing highly collimated neutron beams and leads to the neutron-flux enhancement by more than 1 order of magnitude. Such a good collimation is conducive to the detection of samples located several meters from neutron sources, and it becomes feasible to place sensitive detectors adjacent to the neutron sources without the necessity of heavy shielding. A theoretical model for kinematic focusing and supporting two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are presented. It is shown that a well-collimated neutron beam, with the maximal divergence angle of about ${30}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$, is generated by bombardment of a hydrogen target with ${\mathrm{Li}}^{3+}$ beams, which come from a metallic lithium foil irradiated by a short laser pulse at an intensity of $5.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. This proposed method can be achieved by present-day petawatt laser facilities.

Predictive capability of material screening by fast neutron activation analysis using laser-driven neutron sources.

Bright, short-pulsed neutron beams from laser-driven neutron sources (LANSs) provide a new perspective on material screening via fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA). FNAA is a nondestructive technique for determining material elemental composition based on nuclear excitation by fast neutron bombardment and subsequent spectral analysis of prompt γ-rays emitted by the active nuclei. Our recent experiments and simulations have shown that activation analysis can be used in practice with modest neutron fluences on the order of 105 n/cm2, which is available with current laser technology. In addition, time-resolved γ-ray measurements combined with picosecond neutron probes from LANSs are effective in mitigating the issue of spectral interference between elements, enabling highly accurate screening of complex samples containing many elements. This paper describes the predictive capability of LANS-based activation analysis based on experimental demonstrations and spectral calculations with Monte Carlo simulations.

Dual-energy fast neutron imaging using tunable short-pulse laser-driven sources.

A novel dual-energy fast neutron imaging technique is presented using short-pulse laser-driven neutron sources to leverage their inherent adaptive spectral control to enable 3D volume segmentation and reconstruction. Laser-accelerated ion beams incident onto secondary targets create directional, broadband, MeV-class neutrons. Synthetic radiographs are produced of multi-material objects using ion and neutron spectra derived from analytic and numerical models. It is demonstrated that neutron images generated from small changes to the neutron spectra, controlled by altering the initial laser conditions, are sufficient to isolate materials with differing attenuation coefficients. This is first demonstrated using a simplistic combinatorial isolation method and then by employing more advanced reconstruction algorithms to reduce artifacts and generate a segmentation volume of the constituent materials.

High-Quality White Laser Diode Fabricated by Laser-Driven Tricolor PiG Film-on-Sapphire

Phosphor-converted white laser diode (WLD) is considered as a promising light source in next-generation high-brightness lighting. However, the WLD suffers from low optical quality in luminous efficacy and color rendering. In this work, we fabricated a high-quality WLD by a blue laser-driven a tricolor phosphor-in-glass (PiG) film-on-sapphire (PIGS). The tricolor PiGS was prepared by sintering a green/yellow/red phosphor glass film on a sapphire substrate. The optical quality of tricolor PiGS-WLDs were optimized by adjusting the phosphor ratio. At the phosphor ratio of 9:6:1, the PiGS-WLD achieves high optical quality with a luminous flux of 362.1 lm, a color rendering index (CRI) of 80.3, and a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 4590 K at a laser power of 2.4 W. The PiGS-WLD has the highest luminous efficacy of 154.5 lm/W at 3.15 W. Furthermore, the PiGS-WLD displays excellent color stability with small CCT and CRI deviation under various laser powers and continuous excitation. The surface temperature of PiGS-WLD is stable at 104 °C due to the high thermal conductivity of sapphire substrate. Therefore, this study provides a stable and high-quality laser-driven white light source for high-brightness lighting and display.

Transverse oscillating bubble enhanced laser-driven betatron X-ray radiation generation

Ultrafast high-brightness X-ray pulses have proven invaluable for a broad range of research. Such pulses are typically generated via synchrotron emission from relativistic electron bunches using large-scale facilities. Recently, significantly more compact X-ray sources based on laser-wakefield accelerated (LWFA) electron beams have been demonstrated. In particular, laser-driven sources, where the radiation is generated by transverse oscillations of electrons within the plasma accelerator structure (so-called betatron oscillations) can generate highly-brilliant ultrashort X-ray pulses using a comparably simple setup. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a method to markedly enhance the parameters of LWFA-driven betatron X-ray emission in a proof-of-principle experiment. We show a significant increase in the number of generated photons by specifically manipulating the amplitude of the betatron oscillations by using our novel Transverse Oscillating Bubble Enhanced Betatron Radiation scheme. We realize this through an orchestrated evolution of the temporal laser pulse shape and the accelerating plasma structure. This leads to controlled off-axis injection of electrons that perform large-amplitude collective transverse betatron oscillations, resulting in increased radiation emission. Our concept holds the promise for a method to optimize the X-ray parameters for specific applications, such as time-resolved investigations with spatial and temporal atomic resolution or advanced high-resolution imaging modalities, and the generation of X-ray beams with even higher peak and average brightness.