OVERVIEW OF MONO-ENERGETIC GAMMA-RAY SOURCES & APPLICATIONS

Conference · Tue May 18 04:00:00 EDT 2010

OSTI ID:1018004

Hartemann, F V; Albert, F; Anderson, G G; Anderson, S G; Bayramian, A J; Betts, S M; Chu, T S; Cross, R R; Ebbers, C A; Fisher, S E; Gibson, D J; Ladran, A S; Marsh, R A; Messerly, M J; O'Neill, K L; Semenov, V A; Shverdin, M Y; Siders, C W; McNabb, D P; Barty, C P ; Vlieks, A E; Jongewaard, E N; Tantawi, S G; Raubenheimer, T O

Recent progress in accelerator physics and laser technology have enabled the development of a new class of tunable gamma-ray light sources based on Compton scattering between a high-brightness, relativistic electron beam and a high intensity laser pulse produced via chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). A precision, tunable Mono-Energetic Gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development and construction at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by an X-band linac designed in collaboration with SLAC NAL will interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps, diode-pumped CPA laser pulse to generate tunable {gamma}-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. This MEGa-ray source will be used to excite nuclear resonance fluorescence in various isotopes. Applications include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented, along with important applications, including nuclear resonance fluorescence. In conclusion, we have optimized the design of a high brightness Compton scattering gamma-ray source, specifically designed for NRF applications. Two different parameters sets have been considered: one where the number of photons scattered in a single shot reaches approximately 7.5 x 10{sup 8}, with a focal spot size around 8 {micro}m; in the second set, the spectral brightness is optimized by using a 20 {micro}m spot size, with 0.2% relative bandwidth.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 1018004
• Report Number(s): LLNL-PROC-432680
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ACCELERATORS
AMPLIFICATION
BRIGHTNESS
COMPTON EFFECT
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRONS
ENERGY RANGE
LASERS
LIGHT SOURCES
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PHOTONS
PHYSICS
RESONANCE FLUORESCENCE
SECURITY
STANFORD LINEAR ACCELERATOR CENTER
STOCKPILES
WASTES