Development and scaling of MeV x-ray radiography at NIF-ARC
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We investigate the generation of MeV x-rays using the Advanced Radiography Capability laser system at the National Ignition Facility using 1, 10, and 38 ps pulse durations, with laser energies reaching up to 4 kJ and using compound parabolic concentrators. Hydrodynamic simulations using up-to-date measurements of the contrast of the ARC laser are conducted, allowing us to employ an electron scaling model that incorporates scale length and pulse duration, which aligns closely with the observed temperature distributions. Comparable x-ray sources, in terms of dose, are generated when using a 10 ps pulse duration with 2.4 kJ at ∼1.9 ± 0.4 × 1018 W/cm2 and when using a 38 ps pulse duration with 4 kJ at 9.9 ± 0.4 × 1017 W/cm2, both achieving ∼16 rad in air at 1 m for x-ray energies > 0.5 MeV. Radiographs performed on the laser “line-of-sight” show significant improvements in image quality than radiographs performed at 65 degrees to the laser axis. We verify the radiography performance using Monte Carlo Simulations.
Source: Physics of Plasmas
DOI: 10.1063/5.0294704
Authors: D. R. Rusby, S. M. Kerr, A. Aghedo, D. A. Alessi, M. B. Aufderheide, J. D. Bude, G. Cochran, J.-M. Di Nicola, D. N. Fittinghoff, M. Freeman, M. P. Hill, D. Kalantar, A. Kemp, S. F. Khan, T. Lanier, A. MacPhee, D. Martinez, K. Meaney, J. J. Mcloughlin, N. H. Nguyen, S. Patankar, M. Prantil, S. Stadermann, P. Volegov, S. Vonhof, C. H. Wilde, S. C. Wilks, G. J. Williams, A. Mackinnon
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G1356433355, G5957427626
OpenAlex ID: W4416929368