A5037948010- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Laser Design and Applications
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Dust and Plasma Wave Phenomena
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Analytical chemistry methods development
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics
2018-2025
Horia Hulubei National Institute for R and D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering
2018-2025
Queen's University Belfast
2015-2024
Johns Hopkins University
2020
University of Baltimore
2020
University of Castilla-La Mancha
2018
Centre of Plasma Physics - Institute for Plasma Research
2011-2018
Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
2018
École Polytechnique
2018
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2018
Abstract Electron–positron pair plasmas represent a unique state of matter, whereby there exists an intrinsic and complete symmetry between negatively charged (matter) positively (antimatter) particles. These play fundamental role in the dynamics ultra-massive astrophysical objects are believed to be associated with emission ultra-bright gamma-ray bursts. Despite extensive theoretical modelling, our knowledge this matter is still speculative, owing extreme difficulty recreating neutral...
The acceleration of ions from ultrathin foils has been investigated by using 250 TW, subpicosecond laser pulses, focused to intensities up $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. ion spectra show the appearance narrow-band features for protons and carbon peaked at higher energies (in $5--10\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{\text{nucleon range}}$) with significantly flux than previously reported. spectral their scaling target...
The emergence of a new era reaching beyond current state-of-the-art ultrashort and ultraintense laser technology has been enabled by the approval around € 850 million worth structural funds in 2011–2012 European Commission for installation Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI). ELI project consists three pillars being built Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania. This challenging proposal is based on recent technical progress allowing fields which intensities will soon be as high I0 ∼ 1023 W cm−2....
The ultrashort duration of laser-driven multi-MeV ion bursts offers the possibility radiobiological studies at extremely high dose rates. Employing TARANIS Terawatt laser Queen's University, effect proton irradiation MeV-range energies on live cells has been investigated rates exceeding 109 Gy/s as a single exposure. A clonogenic assay showed consistent lethal effects V-79 cells, which, even these rates, appear to be in line with previously published results employing conventional sources....
Highly anisotropic, beam-like neutron emission with peak flux of the order 109 n/sr was obtained from light nuclei reactions in a pitcher–catcher scenario, by employing MeV ions driven sub-petawatt laser. The spatial profile beam, fully captured for first time CR39 nuclear track detector, shows FWHM divergence angle , nearly an magnitude higher than isotropic component elsewhere. observed beamed neutrons is highly favourable wide range applications, and indeed further transport moderation to...
The acceleration of ions from ultrathin (10--100 nm) carbon foils has been investigated using intense ($\ensuremath{\sim}6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{20}\text{ }\mathrm{W}\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$) ultrashort (45 fs) laser pulses, highlighting a strong dependence the ion beam parameters on polarization, with circularly polarized (CP) pulses producing highest energies for both protons and carbons ($25\ensuremath{-}30\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{nucleon}$);...
By use of high intensity XUV radiation from the FLASH free-electron laser at DESY, we have created highly excited exotic states matter in solid-density aluminum samples. The is sufficiently to excite an inner-shell electron a large fraction atoms focal region. We show that soft-x-ray emission spectroscopy measurements reveal electronic temperature and density this system immediately after excitation pulse, with detailed calculations structure, based on finite-temperature functional theory,...
We report on the temporally and spatially resolved detection of precursory stages that lead to formation an unmagnetized, supercritical collisionless shock in a laser-driven laboratory experiment. The measured evolution electrostatic potential associated with unveils transition from current free double layer into symmetric structure, stabilized by ion reflection at front. Supported matching particle-in-cell simulation theoretical considerations, we suggest this process is analogous shocks...
Protontherapy has emerged as more effective in the treatment of certain tumors than photon based therapies. However, significant capital and operational costs make protontherapy less accessible. This stimulated interest alternative proton delivery approaches, this context use laser-based technologies for generation ultra-high dose rate ion beams been proposed a prospective route. A better understanding radiobiological effects at dose-rates is important any future clinical adoption...
We report on the first experimental observation of a current-driven instability developing in quasineutral matter-antimatter beam. Strong magnetic fields (≥1 T) are measured, via means proton radiography technique, after propagation neutral electron-positron beam through background electron-ion plasma. The experimentally determined equipartition parameter ε_{B}≈10^{-3} is typical values inferred from models astrophysical gamma-ray bursts, which relativistic flows also expected to be pair...
Abstract Interaction of intense lasers with nm thick targets provides an attractive regime for the acceleration ions all types. Acceleration heavy however is undermined in presence low charge contaminant species due to their higher charge-to-mass ratio. Here we show narrow-band very Au from ~15 foils driven by a sub-Petawatt laser, spectral peaks 1.5 ± 0.5 GeV at fluxes on order 10 12 particles per steradian. 3D and 2D particle-in-cell simulations complex interplay between different...
Abstract Real-time evaluation of laser-driven byproducts is crucial for state-of-the-art facilities operating at high repetition rates. This work presents real-time measurements hard X-rays (bremsstrahlung radiation) generated from the interaction high-intensity laser pulses with solid targets in target normal sheath acceleration regime using a scintillator stack detector. The detector offers insights into effectiveness laser–plasma through measured fluctuations bremsstrahlung radiation...
The intricate spatial and energy distribution of magnetic fields, self-generated during high power laser irradiation (at Iλ^{2}∼10^{13}-10^{14} W.cm^{-2}.μm^{2}) a solid target, the heat-carrying electron currents, is studied in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) relevant conditions. This done by comparing proton radiography measurements fields to an improved magnetohydrodynamic description that fully takes into account nonlocality heat transport. We show that, these conditions, are rapidly...
We report on the selective acceleration of carbon ions during interaction ultrashort, circularly polarized and contrast-enhanced laser pulses, at a peak intensity 5.5×10^{20} W/cm^{2}, with ultrathin foils. Under optimized conditions, energies per nucleon bulk reached significantly higher values than contaminant protons (33 MeV/nucleon vs 18 MeV), unlike what is typically observed in laser-foil experiments. Experimental data, supporting simulations, emphasize different dominant mechanisms...
Accelerated proton beams have become increasingly common for treating cancer. The need cost and size reduction of particle accelerating machines has led to the pioneering investigation optical ion acceleration techniques based on laser-plasma interactions as a possible alternative. Laser-matter interaction can produce extremely pulsed bursts ultra-high dose rates (⩾ 109 Gy/s), largely exceeding those currently used in conventional therapy. Since biological effects ionizing radiation are...
Abstract Helical coil accelerators are a recent development in laser-driven ion production, acting on the intrinsically wide divergence and broadband energy spectrum of laser-accelerated protons to deliver ultra-low quasi-monoenergetic beams. The modularity helical also provides attractive prospective multi-staging. Here we show, proof-of-principle basis, two-stage configuration which allows optical tuning selected proton beamlet. Experimental data, corroborated by particle tracing...
Abstract Objective. Carbon is an ion species of significant radiobiological interest, particularly in view its use cancer radiotherapy, where large Relative Biological Efficiency often exploited to overcome radio resistance. A growing interest highly pulsed carbon delivery has arisen the context development FLASH radiotherapy approach, with recent studies carried out at dose rates 40 Gy s −1 . Laser acceleration methods, producing ultrashort bursts, can now enable Gy-level doses ions...
High-power laser systems have opened new frontiers in scientific research and revolutionized various fields, offering unprecedented capabilities for understanding fundamental physics allowing unique applications. This paper details the successful commissioning of 1 PW experimental area at Extreme Light Infrastructure–Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility Romania, using both available arms. The setup featured a short focal parabolic mirror to accelerate protons through target normal sheath...
Background: We present our novel, patented paradigm of immunotherapy-supported radiology designed to augment conventional FDA-approved Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). This innovative approach employs immunocompetent cells as vectors for boron nanoparticles, thereby facilitating targeted radiological treatment. Our methodology addresses the evasive propensity ’cold’ solid tumors, which often remain undetected due their integration within fibroblast-rich micro environments devoid...
The ELIMAIA-ELIMED beamline, powered by the L3 HAPLS petawatt laser, enables irradiation of biological samples with intermediate-energy laser-driven protons (LDP) in a multi-shot regime. In pilot radiobiological experiment, mean energy ∼24 MeV and doses up to ∼14 mGy per shot, ∼4 ns bunch duration, were used irradiate AG01522 normal human skin fibroblasts. shortest time achieved was down ∼17 min/Gy, while peak dose rates reached ∼1 × 10 −3 3.5 6 Gy/s, respectively. cells exposed ranging from...
Laser-driven proton and ion acceleration is an area of increasing research interest given the recent development short pulse-high intensity lasers. Several groups have reported experiments to understand whether a laser-driven beam can be applied for radiobiological purposes in each these, method obtain dose spectral analysis was slightly different. The difficulty with these studies that very large instantaneous rate challenge commonly used dosimetry techniques, so other more sophisticated...
Abstract The multi-Terawatt laser system, terawatt apparatus for relativistic and nonlinear interdisciplinary science, has been recently installed in the Centre Plasma Physics at Queen's University of Belfast. system will support a wide ranging science program, which include laser-driven particle acceleration, X-ray lasers, high energy density physics experiments. Here we present an overview as well results preliminary investigations on ion acceleration mainly carried out performance tests...