Detection of short lived radioisotopes as a fast diagnostic for intense laser-solid interactions

R.J. Clarke, K.W.D. Ledingham, P. McKenna, L. Robson, T. McCanny, D. Neely, O. Lundh, F. Lindau, C.G. Wahlstrom, P.T. Simpson, Matthew Zepf

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11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As a diagnostic of high-intensity laser interactions (> 10(19) W cm(-2)), the detection of radioactive isotopes is regularly used for the characterization of proton, neutron, ion, and photon beams. This involves sample removal from the interaction chamber and time consuming post shot analysis using NaI coincidence counting or Ge detectors. This letter describes the use of in situ detectors to measure laser-driven (p,n) reactions in Al-27 as an almost real-time diagnostic for proton acceleration. The produced Si-27 isotope decays with a 4.16 s half-life by the predominantly beta+ emission, producing a strong 511 keV annihilation peak. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.
Original languageEnglish
Article number141117
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume89
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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