TY - GEN
T1 - Applications of laser-plasma electron accelerators
T2 - 2005 Conference on Lasers and Elctro-Optics Europe
AU - Glinec, Y.
AU - Faure, J.
AU - Santos, J. J.
AU - Malka, V.
AU - Fuchs, T.
AU - Szymanowski, H.
AU - Le Dain, L.
AU - Darbon, S.
AU - Lefebvre, E.
AU - Hosokai, T.
PY - 2005/12/1
Y1 - 2005/12/1
N2 - Recent improvements [1] in electron beams generated by laser plasma interaction are applied to several applications. We have chosen two representative applications which emphasize the importance of this electron source: we show a dose distribution profile in water of this electron beam for radiotherapy and a high resolution γ-ray radiography. This electron beam is adapted to a wide range of applications : it has a quasi-monoenergetic spectrum at high energy (170 MeV ± 25%) with high charge (0.5 nC), the source size is comparable to the focused laser dimensions (w0 = 18 μm) and its divergence is small (1° at full width at half maximum). The electron bunch is also expected to be short and to remain short upon propagation (∼100 fs). The use of this energetic electron beam for treatment planning is studied. Treatment of tumors deeper than 10 cm requires electron energy higher than 20 MeV, which is produced by conventionnal accelerators. The short acceleration distance of laser-plasma accelerators could play a significant role. Monte-Carlo simulation of the dose deposition profile in a water target is presented. The transverse penumbra is narrow which prevents from damaging safe tissues in the vicinity of the area to cure. Focusing the electron beam inside the patient gives a more homogeneous dose profile over a long distance (up to 40 cm) and a high dose above the requirements for radiotherapy. The electron source can also be used to generate bright secondary sources. Using the bremsstrahlung radiation produced by an electron beam travelling through a dense converter, we have produced an energetic γ-ray source of small dimensions and low divergence. We have performed high resolution radiographies of a dense object with small structures etched in it [2]. The photon source size is found to be about a few hundreds of micrometers from measurements of the penumbra on the images and from estimations with Monte-Carlo simulations. These applications reveal the important complementary role of electron sources generated by laser-plasma accelerators when compared to characteristics of conventional accelerators. The original electron beam properties are relevant for many other applications. For instance, its ultra-short duration is of interest in femtochemistry.
AB - Recent improvements [1] in electron beams generated by laser plasma interaction are applied to several applications. We have chosen two representative applications which emphasize the importance of this electron source: we show a dose distribution profile in water of this electron beam for radiotherapy and a high resolution γ-ray radiography. This electron beam is adapted to a wide range of applications : it has a quasi-monoenergetic spectrum at high energy (170 MeV ± 25%) with high charge (0.5 nC), the source size is comparable to the focused laser dimensions (w0 = 18 μm) and its divergence is small (1° at full width at half maximum). The electron bunch is also expected to be short and to remain short upon propagation (∼100 fs). The use of this energetic electron beam for treatment planning is studied. Treatment of tumors deeper than 10 cm requires electron energy higher than 20 MeV, which is produced by conventionnal accelerators. The short acceleration distance of laser-plasma accelerators could play a significant role. Monte-Carlo simulation of the dose deposition profile in a water target is presented. The transverse penumbra is narrow which prevents from damaging safe tissues in the vicinity of the area to cure. Focusing the electron beam inside the patient gives a more homogeneous dose profile over a long distance (up to 40 cm) and a high dose above the requirements for radiotherapy. The electron source can also be used to generate bright secondary sources. Using the bremsstrahlung radiation produced by an electron beam travelling through a dense converter, we have produced an energetic γ-ray source of small dimensions and low divergence. We have performed high resolution radiographies of a dense object with small structures etched in it [2]. The photon source size is found to be about a few hundreds of micrometers from measurements of the penumbra on the images and from estimations with Monte-Carlo simulations. These applications reveal the important complementary role of electron sources generated by laser-plasma accelerators when compared to characteristics of conventional accelerators. The original electron beam properties are relevant for many other applications. For instance, its ultra-short duration is of interest in femtochemistry.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/42749106293
U2 - 10.1109/CLEOE.2005.1568192
DO - 10.1109/CLEOE.2005.1568192
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:42749106293
SN - 0780389743
SN - 9780780389748
T3 - Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe - Technical Digest
BT - 2005 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe
Y2 - 12 June 2005 through 17 June 2005
ER -