An online, energy-resolving beam profile detector for laser-driven proton beams

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Plasma Physics
• Particle Accelerators

Background:

• Laser-driven proton sources offer compact, high-intensity beams.
• Characterizing these beams is crucial for applications but challenging due to their unique properties.
• Existing diagnostic tools may not provide sufficient online, on-shot resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel scintillator-based detector for online characterization of laser-driven proton beams.
• To enable simultaneous 2D spatial and energy resolution of proton beam profiles.
• To facilitate online, on-shot analysis of beam spatial distribution and cut-off energy.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a pixelated absorber matrix with varying thicknesses to achieve energy resolution.
• Employing a thin plastic scintillator coupled with a CCD camera for spatial detection.
• Integrating the detector system for online, on-shot measurements under vacuum conditions.

Main Results:

• Achieved a spatial detector resolution of approximately 4 mm.
• Demonstrated the capability to resolve proton beam profiles for up to 9 distinct energy thresholds.
• Successfully characterized laser-driven proton beams, analyzing spatial distribution and cut-off energy.

Conclusions:

• The developed scintillator-based detector provides effective online characterization of laser-driven proton beams.
• The detector's design allows for simultaneous spatial and energy resolution, crucial for beam optimization.
• This tool advances the understanding and application of laser-produced particle beams.