Multi-pixelated array detection system for single photon imaging with laser-driven Compton x-ray source
Abstract
High-brightness x-ray beams in the energy range of keV-MeV have many applications ranging from three dimensional imaging to radiography of dense objects. In most of these studies, monochromatic x-ray sources provided by large synchrotron facilities are used and the imaging is typically based on either phase or amplitude of the incident x-rays. Additionally, for high-energy applications, broadband x-rays from bremsstrahlung sources are widely used on account of their availability, and radiographic images are obtained by measuring the transmission of the polychromatic x-ray beam through the object of interest.Recently, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has demonstrated a new type of x-ray source that is based on all-laser-driven inverse Compton scattering. In this device, high-energy electrons are generated by the process of laser-driven wakefield acceleration and are then scattered off a second, intense light pulse from the same laser system. As a result of this interaction, a beam of high-energy x-rays is produced which can be used for a range of applications. As the laser-driven wakefield accelerator is continuously tunable, the x-ray source can be tuned in the keV-MeV range. In addition to this remarkable characteristic, the x-rays are emitted in a narrow forward cone (~mrad), micron-source sized, and femtosecond duration. The fluence of the x-rays is high (~10^10 photons s-1), and results in a peak brightness that exceeds 10^20 photons s-1 mm-2 mrad-2 (0.1% BW). While the bandwidth can be as low as 1-2%, typical bandwidth of the source is ~10%, higher than that of a synchrotron but significantly lower than a bremsstrahlung source. The source’s distinct characteristics can be most effectively exploited by using spectroscopic imaging in the keV-MeV range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 11, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810369
Entities
People
- Donald Umstadter
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Nebraska system