Neutron dose assessment in laser-generated ultra-short pulsed fields

Area of Science:

• Laser-driven particle acceleration
• Nuclear physics
• Radiation detection

Background:

• ELI Beamlines facility houses advanced high-power laser systems, including HAPLS.
• Laser-matter interactions generate unique mixed ionizing radiation fields.
• Neutron detection is crucial for understanding these interactions but faces significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a specific commissioning experiment at ELI Beamlines involving the HAPLS laser.
• To detail the methodologies employed to overcome challenges in ionizing radiation detection.
• To share lessons learned from the neutron detection endeavor during laser system commissioning.

Main Methods:

• Utilized specialized detectors calibrated for short-pulse radiation environments.
• Adapted detection strategies to accommodate frequently changing experimental parameters (laser settings, geometry, targets).
• Developed data analysis techniques to interpret signals from ultra-short ionizing radiation pulses (~10-14 s).

Main Results:

• Successfully detected neutrons generated by the HAPLS laser during commissioning experiments.
• Identified key factors influencing detection efficiency and accuracy.
• Provided insights into the characteristics of laser-generated neutron fields.

Conclusions:

• Effective neutron detection requires tailored approaches for pulsed, high-intensity laser experiments.
• Adaptability in experimental setup and detection methods is essential during facility commissioning.
• The findings contribute to the advancement of radiation detection techniques in extreme light infrastructure.