Production Of Proton Beams Research Articles

Efficient proton acceleration from a 3 TW table-top laser interacting with submicrometric mass-produced solid targets

Thin layer membranes with controllable features and material arrangements are often used as target materials for laser driven particle accelerators. Reduced cost, large scale fabrication of such membranes with high reproducibility, and good stability are central for the efficient production of proton beams. These characteristics are of growing importance in the context of advanced laser light sources where increased repetition rates boost the need for consumable targets with design and properties adjusted to study the different phenomena arising in ultra-intense laser-plasma interaction. We present the fabrication of sub-micrometric thin-layer gold or aluminum membranes in a silicon wafer frame by using nano/micro-electro-mechanical-system (N/MEMS) processing which are suitable for rapid patterning and machining of many samples at the same time and allowing for high-throughput production of targets for laser-driven acceleration. Obtained targets were tested for laser-proton acceleration through the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration mechanism (TNSA) in a series of experiments carried out on a purpose-made table-top Ti:Sa running at 3 TW peak power and 10 Hz diode pump rate with a contrast over ASE of 108.

Efficient production and diagnostics of MeV proton beams from a cryogenic hydrogen ribbon

A solid hydrogen thin ribbon, produced by the cryogenic system ELISE (Experiments on Laser Interaction with Solid hydrogEn) target delivery system, was experimentally used at the PALS kJ-laser facility to generate intense proton beams with energies in the MeV range. This sophisticated target system operating at cryogenic temperature (∼ 10 K) continuously producing a 62 μm thick target was combined with a 600 J sub-nanosecond laser pulse to generate a collimated proton stream. The accelerated proton beams were fully characterized by a number of diagnostics. High conversion efficiency of laser to energetic protons is of great interest for future potential applications in non-conventional proton therapy and fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion.

Detailed characterization of the LLNL imaging proton spectrometer.

Ultra-intense short pulse lasers incident on solid targets (e.g., thin Au foils) produce well collimated, broad-spectrum proton beams. These proton beams can be used to characterize magnetic fields, electric fields, and density gradients in high energy-density systems. The LLNL-Imaging Proton Spectrometer (L-IPS) was designed and built [H. Chen et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 10D314 (2010)] for use with such laser produced proton beams. The L-IPS has an energy range of 50 keV-40 MeV with a resolving power (E/dE) of about 275 at 1 MeV and 21 at 20 MeV, as well as a single spatial imaging axis. In order to better characterize the dispersion and imaging capability of this diagnostic, a 3D finite element analysis solver is used to calculate the magnetic field of the L-IPS. Particle trajectories are then obtained via numerical integration to determine the dispersion relation of the L-IPS in both energy and angular space.

Production of high current proton beams using complex H-rich molecules at GSI.

In this contribution, the concept of production of intense proton beams using molecular heavy ion beams from an ion source is described, as well as the indisputable advantages of this technique for operation of the GSI linear accelerator. The results of experimental investigations, including mass-spectra analysis and beam emittance measurements, with different ion beams (CH3(+),C2H4(+),C3H7(+)) using various gaseous and liquid substances (methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, and iodoethane) at the ion source are summarized. Further steps to improve the ion source and injector performance with molecular beams are depicted.

Collimated proton beams by ultra-short, ultra-intense laser pulse interaction with a foil–ramparts target

AbstractA foil–ramparts target interaction with an ultra-short, ultra-intense laser pulse (pulse duration between 10−12 and 10−15 s, intensity above 1018 W cm−2) to produce proton beams with controlled divergence and concentrated energy density in target normal sheath acceleration regime is studied. Two-dimension-in-space and three-dimension-in-velocity particle-in-cell simulations show that the foil–ramparts target helps to reshape the sheath electric field and generate a transverse quasi-static electric field of ~6.7 TV m−1 along the inner wall of the ramparts. The transverse electric field suppresses the transverse expansion of the proton beam effectively, as it tends to force the produced protons to focus inwards to the central axis, resulting in controlled divergence and concentrated energy density compared with that of a single plain target. The dependence of proton beam divergence on length of the rampart h is investigated in detail. A rough estimation of h ranges depending on dimensionless parameter a0 of the incident laser is also given.

Proton beam production by a laser ion source with hydride target.

We studied proton beam production from a laser ion source using hydrogen rich target materials. In general, gas based species are not suitable for laser ion sources since formation of a dense laser target is difficult. In order to achieve reliable operation, we tested hydride targets using a sub nanosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser, which may help suppress target material consumption. We detected enough yields of protons from a titanium hydride target without degradation of beam current during the experiment. The combination of a sub nanosecond laser and compressed hydride target may provide stable proton beam.

Measurements of response functions of EJ-299-33A plastic scintillator for fast neutrons

Monoenergetic neutron response functions were measured for an EJ-299-33A plastic scintillator. The 7-MV Van de Graaff accelerator at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory was used to produce proton and deuteron beams for reactions with gaseous tritium and deuterium targets, yielding monoenergetic neutrons by means of the 3H(p,n)3He, 2H(d,n)3He, and 3H(d,n)4He reactions. The neutron energy was selected by tuning the charged-particle’s energy and using the angular dependence of the neutron emission. The resulting response functions were measured for 0.1-MeV steps in neutron energy from 0.1MeV to 8.2MeV and from 12.2MeV to 20.2MeV. Experimental data were processed using a procedure for digital pulse-shape discrimination, which allowed characterization of the response functions of the plastic scintillator to neutrons only. The response functions are intended for use in neutron spectrum unfolding methods.

Cascaded proton acceleration by collisionless electrostatic shock

A new scheme for proton acceleration by cascaded collisionless electrostatic shock (CES) is proposed. By irradiating a foil target with a moderate high-intensity laser beam, a stable CES field can be induced, which is employed as the accelerating field for the booster stage of proton acceleration. The mechanism is studied through simulations and theoretical analysis, showing that a 55 MeV seed proton beam can be further accelerated to 265 MeV while keeping a good energy spread. This scheme offers a feasible approach to produce proton beams with energy of hundreds of MeV by existing available high-intensity laser facilities.

SP-0024: Current developments in proton and ion beam production and delivery

SP-0024: Current developments in proton and ion beam production and delivery

Gyrotron-driven high current ECR ion source for boron-neutron capture therapy neutron generator

Boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a perspective treatment method for radiation resistant tumors. Unfortunately its development is strongly held back by a several physical and medical problems. Neutron sources for BNCT currently are limited to nuclear reactors and accelerators. For wide spread of BNCT investigations more compact and cheap neutron source would be much more preferable.In present paper an approach for compact D–D neutron generator creation based on a high current ECR ion source is suggested.Results on dense proton beams production are presented. A possibility of ion beams formation with current density up to 600mA/cm2 is demonstrated. Estimations based on obtained experimental results show that neutron target bombarded by such deuteron beams would theoretically yield a neutron flux density up to 6·1010cm−2/s.Thus, neutron generator based on a high-current deuteron ECR source with a powerful plasma heating by gyrotron radiation could fulfill the BNCT requirements significantly lower price, smaller size and ease of operation in comparison with existing reactors and accelerators.

Note: Enhanced production of He⁺ from the Versatile Ion Source (VIS) in off-resonance configuration.

The Versatile Ion Source (VIS) is a microwave discharge ion source installed at INFN-LNS and here used as test-bench for the production of high intensity low emittance proton beams and for studies on plasma physics. A series of measurements have been carried out with VIS in order to test the source with light ions. In particular a He(+) beam has been characterized in terms of plasma discharge parameters. The experiment has been triggered by the observation of X-radiation emission from the plasma for some configuration of the magnetic field profile. The plasma electron energy distribution function is in fact modified when in some regions of the plasma chamber under-resonance discharge takes place, fulfilling the condition that allows the electromagnetic wave to electrostatic wave conversion. These tests allowed obtaining more than 50 mA of He(+) beams.

Quasi-monoenergetic proton beams by laser-plasma X-rays

We report the details of a technique for the production of proton beams with very low energy spread exploiting the short soft X-rays obtained by laser ablation. These beams have been generated by the dissociation and ionization of an hydrogen buffer gas induced by the laser-plasma X-rays and then accelerated by means of an electrostatic accelerator. Their properties have been analyzed through the time-of-flight method applying different accelerating voltages. The resulting energetic spread ranges between 6 and 11%, as a function of the applied voltage. Such a system could be extremely useful for producing quasi-monoenergetic proton beams.

Proton stopping power measurements using high intensity short pulse lasers produced proton beams

Proton stopping power measurements in solids and gases, typically made using proton accelerators, Van de Graf machines, etc., have existed now for many decades for many elements and compounds. We propose a new method of making this type of measurement using a different source, namely proton beams created by high intensity short pulse lasers. The advantage of this type of source is that there is the high number of particles and short bunch lengths, which is ideal for measurements of evolving mediums such as hot dense plasmas. Our measurements are consistent with exiting data and theory which validates this method.

Cyclotrons with fast variable and/or multiple energy extraction

We discuss the principle possibility of stripping extraction in combination with reverse bends in isochronous separate sector cyclotrons (and/or FFAGs). If one uses reverse bends between the sectors (instead of drifts) and places stripper foils at the sector exit edges, the stripped beam has a reduced bending radius and it should be able to leave the cyclotron within the range of the reverse bend - even if the beam is stripped at less than full energy. We are especially interested in $H_2^+$-cyclotrons, which allow to double the charge to mass ratio by stripping. However the principle could be applied to other ions or ionized molecules as well. For the production of proton beams by stripping extraction of an $H_2^+$-beam, we discuss possible designs for three types of machines: First a low-energy cyclotron for the simultaneous production of several beams at multiple energies - for instance 15 MeV, 30 MeV and 70 MeV - thus allowing to have beam on several isotope production targets. In this case it is desired to have a strong energy dependence of the direction of the extracted beam thus allowing to run multiple target stations simultaneously. Second we consider a fast variable energy proton machine for cancer therapy that should allow extraction (of the complete beam) at all energies in the range of about 70 MeV to about 250 MeV into the same beam line. And third, we consider a high intensity high energy machine, where the main design goals are extraction with low losses, low activation of components and high reliability. The price that has to be paid for these advantages is an increase in size and/or in field strength compared to proton machines with standard extraction at the final energy.

High current proton beams production at Simple Mirror Ion Source 37

This paper presents the latest results of high current proton beam production at Simple Mirror Ion Source (SMIS) 37 facility at the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP RAS). In this experimental setup, the plasma is created and the electrons are heated by 37.5 GHz gyrotron radiation with power up to 100 kW in a simple mirror trap fulfilling the ECR condition. Latest experiments at SMIS 37 were performed using a single-aperture two-electrode extraction system. Proton beams with currents up to 450 mA at high voltages below 45 kV were obtained. The maximum beam current density was measured to be 600 mA/cm(2). A possibility of further improvement through the development of an advanced extraction system is discussed.

Production and acceleration of protons by Titanium Hydride solid disks via excimer laser ablation

In this work we present the preliminary investigations about the production of proton beams by pulsed laser ablation of solid disks produced by compressed Titanium Hydride (TiH) powder. The laser we used was an excimer KrF, operating at low intensity and ns pulse duration. The ion emission was analyzed by the time-of-flight technique using a Faraday cup as ion collector. We performed initial studies on the produced plasma for different laser fluence values. In free expansion mode we obtained protons and titanium ions having kinetic energy of some hundred of eV; by applying a post-accelerating voltage we analyzed the beams up to 15keV.

Characterization of Microwave Discharge Ion Source for high proton beam production

The production of high-current beams is a key point for different applications and the importance ofthis role is deemed to increase in the coming years, both for industrial applications and for research projects. High-current and high-brightness H+ beams can be provided by 2.45GHz MDIS --Microwave Discharge Ion Sources--, which presents many advantages in terms of compactness, high reliability, ability to operate in CW mode or in pulsed mode, reproducibility, and low maintenance. A detail characterization of two MDIS, VIS and SILHI is reported here: for each source the most important parameterwas measured and analyzed. Special attention was paid to improve the performance of the source, increasing the electron density for a more efficient ionization; as a consequence, studies to optimize the extracted current have been carried out. A series of measurements have been realized with the VIS source by inserting a thick Al2O3 tube inside the plasma chamber (passive technique) and an innovative mechanisms of plasma ignition based on electrostatic waves (ESW) was proved with a plasma reactor.

High current proton source based on ECR discharge sustained by 37.5 GHz gyrotron radiation

Formation of hydrogen ion beams with high intensity and low transverse emittance is one of the key challenges in accelerator technology. Present work is devoted to experimental investigation of proton beam production from dense plasma (Ne > 1013 cm−3) of an ECR discharge sustained by 37.5 GHz, 100 kW gyrotron radiation at SMIS 37 facility at IAP RAS. The anticipated advantages of the SMIS 37 gasdynamic ion source over the current state-of-the-art proton source technology based on 2.45 GHz hydrogen discharges are described. Experimental result obtained with different extraction configurations i.e. single- and multi-aperture systems are presented. It was demonstrated that ultra bright proton beam with approximately 4.5 mA current and 0.03 π·mm·mrad normalized emittance can be produced with the single-aperture (1 mm in diameter) extraction, the corresponding brightness being 5 A/(π·mm·mrad)2. For production of high current beams a multi-aperture extractor was used resulting to a record of 200 mA / 1.1 π·mm·mrad normalized emittance proton beam. The species fraction i.e. the ratio of H+ to H2+ current was recorded to be > 90 % for all extraction systems. A possibility of further enhancement of the beam parameters by improvements of the extraction system and its power supply is discussed.

Proton driven acceleration by intense laser pulses irradiating thin hydrogenated targets

The Asterix iodine laser of the PALS laboratory in Prague, operating at 1315nm fundamental frequency, 300ps pulse duration, 600J maximum pulse energy and 1016W/cm2 intensity, is employed to irradiate thin hydrogenated targets placed in high vacuum. Different metallic and polymeric targets allow to generate multi-energetic and multi-specie ion beams showing peculiar properties. The plasma obtained by the laser irradiation is monitored, in terms of properties of the emitted charge particles, by using time-of-flight techniques and Thomson parabola spectrometer (TPS). A particular attention is given to the proton beam production in terms of the maximum energy, emission yield and angular distribution as a function of the laser energy, focal position (FP), target thickness and composition.

Equation of state studies of warm dense matter samples heated by laser produced proton beams

Heating of matter by proton beams produced by short pulse, laser-solid target interaction has been demonstrated over the last ten years by a number of workers. In the work described in this paper heating by a pulse of laser produced protons has been combined with high-resolution soft x-ray radiography to record the expansion of thin wire targets. Analysis of the radiographs yields material properties in the warm dense matter regime. These measurements imply initial temperatures in the experimental samples over a range from 14 eV up to 40 eV; the sample densities varied from solid to a tenth solid density. Assuming an adiabatic expansion after the initial proton heating phase isentropes of the aluminium sample material were inferred and compared to tabulated data from the SESAME equation of state library. The proton spectrum was also measured using calibrated magnetic spectrometers and radiochromic film. The accuracy of the technique used to infer material data is discussed along with possible future development.