Development of control mechanisms for a laser wakefield accelerator-driven bremsstrahlung x-ray source for advanced radiographic imaging. (29th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Underwood, C I D; Baird, C D; Murphy, C D; Armstrong, C D; Thornton, C; Finlay, O J; Streeter, M J V; Selwood, M P; Brierley, N; Cipiccia, S; Gruse, J-N; McKenna, P; Najmudin, Z; Neely, D; Rusby, D; Symes, D R; Brenner, C M
• Is Part Of: Plasma physics and controlled fusion. Volume 62:Number 12(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-29
• Subjects: laser wakefield acceleration -- bremsstrahlung source -- x-ray characterisation -- radiography -- non-destructive testing; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; Controlled fusion -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6587/abbebe
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-3335

Abstract

Abstract: A high power laser was used to accelerate electrons in a laser-driven wakefield accelerator. The high energy electrons were then used to generate an x-ray beam by passing them through a converter target. This bremsstrahlung source was characterised and used to perform penetrative imaging of industrially relevant samples. The photon spectrum had a critical energy in excess of 100 MeV and a source size smaller than the resolution of the diagnostic ( ≲ 150 µ m). Simulations indicate a significantly smaller source is achievable. Variations in the x-ray source characteristics were realised through changes to the plasma and converter parameters while simulations confirm the adaptability of the source. Imaging of high areal density objects with 150 µ m resolution was performed, demonstrating the unique advantages of this novel source.