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Shielded radiography with a laser-driven MeV-energy X-ray source

Journal Article · · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States); Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan
  2. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)
  3. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
We report the results of experimental and numerical-simulation studies of shielded radiography using narrowband MeV-energy X-rays from a compact all-laser-driven inverse-Compton-scattering X-ray light source. This recently developed X-ray light source is based on a laser-wakefield accelerator with ultra-high-field gradient (GeV/cm). We demonstrate experimentally high-quality radiographic imaging (image contrast of 0.4 and signal-to-noise ratio of 2:1) of a target composed of 8-mm thick depleted uranium shielded by 80-mm thick steel, using a 6-MeV X-ray beam with a spread of 45% (FWHM) and 107 photons in a single shot. The corresponding dose of the X-ray pulse measured in front of the target is ~100 nGy/pulse. Simulations performed using the Monte-Carlo code MCNPX accurately reproduce the experimental results. These simulations also demonstrate that the narrow bandwidth of the Compton X-ray source operating at 6 and 9 MeV leads to a reduction of deposited dose as compared to broadband bremsstrahlung sources with the same end-point energy. The X-ray beam’s inherently low-divergence angle (~mrad) is advantageous and effective for interrogation at standoff distance. Furthermore, these results demonstrate significant benefits of all-laser driven Compton X-rays for shielded radiography.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development (NA-22); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-05ER15663; NA0002534
OSTI ID:
1365816
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 22567422
OSTI ID: 1399020
Journal Information:
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms Journal Issue: C Vol. 366; ISSN 0168-583X
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (2)

Control of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams from laser-plasma accelerators with adjustable shock density profile journal April 2018
X-ray sources using a picosecond laser driven plasma accelerator journal August 2019

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73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
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