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Characterization of laser-driven electron and photon beams using the Monte Carlo code FLUKA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2014

F. Fiorini ,
D. Neely ,
R.J. Clarke  and
S. Green
F. Fiorini*
Affiliation:
Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
D. Neely
Affiliation:
Central Laser Facility, STFC RAL, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
R.J. Clarke
Affiliation:
Central Laser Facility, STFC RAL, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
S. Green
Affiliation:
Hall-Edwards Radiotherapy Research Group, Department of Medical Physics, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: F. Fiorini, Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
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Abstract

We present a new simulation method to predict the maximum possible yield of X-rays produced by electron beams accelerated by petawatt lasers irradiating thick solid targets. The novelty of the method lies in the simulation of the electron refiluxing inside the target implemented with the Monte Carlo code Fluka. The mechanism uses initial theoretical electron spectra, cold targets and refiluxing electrons forced to re-enter the target iteratively. Collective beam plasma effects are not implemented in the simulation. Considering the maximum X-ray yield obtained for a given target thickness and material, the relationship between the irradiated target mass thickness and the initial electron temperature is determined, as well as the effect of the refiluxing on X-ray yield. The presented study helps to understand which electron temperature should be produced in order to generate a particular X-ray beam. Several applications, including medical and security imaging, could benefit from laser generated X-ray beams, so an understanding of the material and the thickness maximizing the yields or producing particular spectral characteristics is necessary. On the other more immediate hand, if this study is experimentally reproduced at the beginning of an experiment in which there is an interest in laser-driven electron and/or photon beams, it can be used to check that the electron temperature is as expected according to the laser parameters.

Keywords

Electron beam temperatureElectron refiluxingLaser-driven electron beamsLaser-driven X-ray beamsMonte Carlo Fluka simulations
Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , June 2014 , pp. 233 - 241
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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