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Title: Characterization of radiochromic film scanning techniques used in short-pulse-laser ion acceleration

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2971974· OSTI ID:21266524
; ;  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

Radiochromic film (RCF) is increasingly being used as a detector for proton beams from short-pulse laser-matter interaction experiments using the RCF imaging spectroscope technique. The community has traditionally used inexpensive flatbed scanners to digitize and analyze the data, as opposed to more expensive and time-consuming microdensitometers (MicroDs). Often, the RCF densities in some regions exceed an optical density (OD) of 3. Flatbed scanners are generally limited to a maximum OD of {approx}3. Because of the high exposure density, flatbed scanners may yield data that are not reliable due to light scatter and light diffusion from areas of low density to areas of high density. This happens even when the OD is slightly above 1. We will demonstrate the limitations of using flatbed scanners for this type of radiographic media and characterize them compared to measurements made using a MicroD. A technique for cross characterizing both systems using a diffuse densitometer with a NIST wedge will also be presented.

OSTI ID:
21266524
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 79, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2971974; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English