A5030201229- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Boron Compounds in Chemistry
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Laser Design and Applications
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Fusion materials and technologies
- Metal and Thin Film Mechanics
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- Cold Fusion and Nuclear Reactions
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Pulsed Power Technology Applications
- Nuclear Materials and Properties
- Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Astro and Planetary Science
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali del Sud
2009-2025
Extreme Light Infrastructure Beamlines
2021-2025
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare
2010-2025
Texas A&M University
2024
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Catania
2010-2024
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics
2012-2023
Czech Academy of Sciences
2016-2021
Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications
2012-2018
Université de Bordeaux
2012-2018
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
2014-2018
Quasi-static magnetic-fields up to 800 T are generated in the interaction of intense laser pulses (500 J, 1 ns, ) with capacitor-coil targets different materials. The reproducible magnetic-field peak and rise-time, consistent pulse duration, were accurately inferred from measurements GHz-bandwidth inductor pickup coils (B-dot probes). Results Faraday rotation polarized optical light deflectometry energetic proton beams B-dot probe at early stages target charging, then disturbed by radiation...
Abstract Protontherapy is hadrontherapy’s fastest-growing modality and a pillar in the battle against cancer. Hadrontherapy’s superiority lies its inverted depth-dose profile, hence tumour-confined irradiation. Protons, however, lack distinct radiobiological advantages over photons or electrons. Higher LET (Linear Energy Transfer) 12 C-ions can overcome cancer radioresistance: DNA lesion complexity increases with LET, resulting efficient cell killing, i.e. higher Relative Biological...
Abstract Intense lasers interacting with dense targets accelerate relativistic electron beams, which transport part of the laser energy into target depth. However, overall laser-to-target coupling efficiency is impaired by large divergence beam, intrinsic to laser–plasma interaction. Here we demonstrate that an efficient guiding MeV electrons about 30 MA current in solid matter obtained imposing a laser-driven longitudinal magnetostatic field 600 T. In magnetized conditions transported...
The nuclear reaction known as proton-boron fusion has been triggered by a subnanosecond laser system focused onto thick boron nitride target at modest intensity (∼10^{16}W/cm^{2}), resulting in record yield of generated α particles. estimated value particles emitted per pulse is around 10^{11}, thus orders magnitude higher than any other experimental result previously reported. accelerated α-particle stream shows unique features terms kinetic energy (up to 10 MeV), duration (∼10 ns), and...
Nuclear reactions between protons and boron-11 nuclei (p–B fusion) that were used to yield energetic α-particles initiated in a plasma was generated by the interaction PW-class laser operating at relativistic intensities (~3 × 1019 W/cm2) 0.2-mm thick boron nitride (BN) target. A high p–B fusion reaction rate hence, large α-particle flux measured, thanks proton stream accelerated target’s front surface. This first proof of principle experiment demonstrate efficient generation (~1010/sr)...
The majority of studies on laser-driven proton–boron nuclear reaction is based the measurement α-particles with solid-state tracks detector (Cr39). However, Cr39's interpretation difficult due to presence several other accelerated particles which can bias analysis. Furthermore, in some laser irradiation geometries, cross-checking measurements are almost impossible. In this case, numerical simulations play a very important role supporting experimental our work, we exploited different schemes...
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Novel targets were implemented in the beam-driven (in-target) proton-boron fusion with beneficial characteristics (chemical composition and density) compared to commonly used boron nitride. A fusion-generated alpha particle flux of up <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><a:mrow><a:mo>(</a:mo><a:mrow><a:mn>5</a:mn><a:mo>×</a:mo><a:msup><a:mn>10</a:mn><a:mn>7</a:mn></a:msup></a:mrow><a:mspace...
Powerful laser-plasma processes are explored to generate discharge currents of a few $100\,$kA in coil targets, yielding magnetostatic fields (B-fields) excess $0.5\,$kT. The quasi-static provided from hot electron ejection the laser-irradiated surface. According our model, describing qualitatively evolution current, major control parameter is laser irradiance $I_{\mathrm{las}}\lambda_{\mathrm{las}}^2$. space-time B-fields experimentally characterized by high-frequency bandwidth B-dot probes...
The main direction proposed by the community of experts in field laser-driven ion acceleration is to improve particle beam features (maximum energy, charge, emittance, divergence, monochromaticity, shot-to-shot stability) order demonstrate reliable and compact approaches be used for multidisciplinary applications, thus, principle, reducing overall cost a laser-based facility compared conventional accelerator one and, at same time, demonstrating innovative more effective sample irradiation...
Abstract Nuclear fusion between protons and boron-11 nuclei has undergone a revival of interest thanks to the rapid progress in pulsed laser technology. Potential applications such reaction range from controlled nuclear radiobiology cancer therapy. A laser-driven approach consists interaction high-power, high-intensity pulses with H- B-rich targets. We report on an experiment exploiting proton-boron CN-BN targets obtain high-energy alpha particle beams (up 5 MeV) using very compact tabletop...
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 up to 100 Hz. The tape surface position was measured be stable on sub-micrometre scale, compatible with high-numerical aperture focusing geometries required achieve relativistic intensity interactions pulse energy available in current multi-Hz near-future higher repetition-rate lasers ( $>$ kHz). Long-term drift...
Multi-MeV beams of light ions have been produced using the 300 picosecond, kJ-class iodine laser, operating at Prague Asterix Laser System facility in Prague. Real-time ion diagnostics performed by use various time-of-flight (TOF) detectors: collectors (ICs) with and without absorber thin films, new prototypes single-crystal diamond silicon carbide detectors, an electrostatic mass spectrometer (IEA). In order to suppress long photopeak induced soft X-rays avoid overlap signal from ultrafast...
Abstract Exceptionally high reaction gains of hydrogen protons measured with the boron isotope 11 are compared other fusion reactions. This is leading to conclusion that secondary avalanche reactions happening and confirming results high-gain, neutron-free, clean, safe, low-cost, long-term available energy. The essential basis unusual non-thermal block-ignition scheme picosecond laser pulses extremely powers above petawatt range.
An experiment was performed using the PALS laser to study laser-target coupling and laser-plasma interaction in an intensity regime ≤1016 W/cm2, relevant for “shock ignition” approach Inertial Confinement Fusion. A first beam at low used create extended preformed plasma, a second one strong shock. Pressures up 90 Megabars were inferred. Our results show importance of details energy transport overdense region.
Generating pure proton beams using lasers for novel cancer therapies has long challenged researchers. In a new experiment, scientists irradiate thin hydrogen ribbon with high-power laser to generate large and population of protons.
Protontherapy is a rapidly expanding radiotherapy modality where accelerated proton beams are used to precisely deliver the dose tumor target but generally considered ineffective against radioresistant tumors. Proton-Boron Capture Therapy (PBCT) novel approach aimed at enhancing biological effectiveness. PBCT exploits nuclear fusion reaction between low-energy protons and 11 B atoms, i.e. p+ B→ 3α (p-B), which supposed produce highly-DNA damaging α-particles exclusively across...
In an experiment performed with a high-intensity and high-energy laser system, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle production in proton-boron reaction by using laser-driven proton beam was measured. $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles were observed from the front also rear side, even after 2-mm-thick boron target. The data obtained this have been analyzed sequence of numerical simulations. simulations clarify mechanisms transport through targets. energies simulation reach 10--20 MeV energy transfer...
Abstract The interaction of relativistically intense lasers with opaque targets represents a highly non-linear, multi-dimensional parameter space. This limits the utility sequential 1D scanning experimental parameters for optimization secondary radiation, although to-date this has been accepted methodology due to low data acquisition rates. High repetition-rate (HRR) augmented by machine learning present valuable opportunity efficient source optimization. Here, an automated, HRR-compatible...
Solid-state nuclear track detectors (CR-39 type) are frequently used for the detection of ions accelerated by laser-plasma interaction because they sensitive to each single particle. To present day, CR-39 main diagnostics in experiments focused on laser-driven proton-boron (p 11 B) fusion reactions detect alpha particles, which products such a reaction, and reconstruct their energy distribution. However, acceleration multispecies laser-generated plasma makes this spectroscopic method complex...
The discovery of chirped pulse amplification has led to great improvements in laser technology, enabling energetic beams be compressed durations tens femtoseconds and focused a few micrometers. Protons with energies MeV can accelerated using, for instance, target normal sheath acceleration on secondary targets. Under such conditions, nuclear reactions occur, the production radioisotopes suitable medical application. use high-repetition lasers produce isotopes is competitive conventional...
Abstract Laser-plasma acceleration of protons offers a compact, ultra-fast alternative to conventional techniques, and is being widely pursued for potential applications in medicine, industry fundamental science. Creating stable, collimated beam at high repetition rates presents key challenge. Here, we demonstrate the generation multi-MeV proton beams from fast-replenishing ambient-temperature liquid sheet. The has an unprecedentedly low divergence 1° (≤20 mrad), resulting magnetic...