Speaker
Prof.
Danilo Giulietti
(PI)
Description
LILIA is an experiment of light ions acceleration trough laser interaction with thin metal targets to be done at the SPARC-LAB facility under operation in Frascati. The main goal is to obtain a beam suitable for injection in other accelerating structure. The laser beam and focusing optics parameters available for the first phase of experiments are: beam diameter ≈120mm, ~flat top, M2≈1.5 ; waist (I/e2)≈ 10µ ; contrast ≈10-10; Raileigh length ≈ 260µ; pulse duration 25-35 fs; Max Energy on target 4J; with long focal length parabola Max Intensity I≈5·1019W/cm2 (35 fs) or 1020 (25fs).
As for now we are limited to 5x1019 W/cm2, we can foresee a maximum proton energy of ≈10MeV and the activity will concern a parametric study of the correlation of the maximum TNSA accelerated proton energy, with respect to the laser pulse intensity (1018 < I < 1020 W/cm2), pulse energy (0.1-4 J), pulse length (25 fs-1ps), metallic target thickness (1-10 microns). In such a frame we would like to deeply investigate the experimental scale rules within the possibilities offered by the FLAME facility. Moreover, this will provide the opportunity to get experience in the development of diagnostic techniques and in target optimization. In this configuration we expect a beam of N<1012 protons with Emax≈10MeV. Such energy is below the present state of art, however the scientific relevance is due to the fact we will obtain a real laser driven source, with a proton beam that will be focused and transported on significant distances (50-75 cm) away from the interaction point.
In a second phase, when FLAME performances will be optimized due to the introduction of Adaptive Optics and the use of a short focal length OA parabola will allow to obtain a waist ≈2.5µ and an intensity on target of I≈1021W/cm2, we will be able to accelerate protons at an energy in excess of 60MeV and to select a bunch at E = 30 MeV with a narrow spread ∆E and still have a reasonable number of protons (107 - 108). This opens a very interesting perspective for applications such as hadrontherapy in connection with a post-acceleration stage in order to reach energies up and beyond 100 MeV. Indeed if a sufficient current intensity can be reached at 30 MeV with a narrow spread ∆E/E≈1% and a good beam quality after transport, energy selection and collimation, the protons bunch might be post-accelerated after injection in a high field linac, as the one developed for the INFN ACLIP project, suitable for medical applications. 3D “start to end” simulations for the 30MeV beam post accelerated up to 60 MeV by means of 6 ACLIP modules has been performed.
Primary author
Prof.
Danilo Giulietti
(PI)
