Laser-plasma-based Space Radiation Reproduction in the Laboratory

Abstract

Space radiation is a great danger to electronics and astronauts onboard space vessels. The spectral flux of space electrons, protons and ions for example in the radiation belts is inherently broadband, but this is a feature hard to mimic with conventional radiation sources. Using laser-plasma-accelerators, we reproduced relativistic, broadband radiation belt flux in the laboratory, and used this man-made space radiation to test the radiation hardness of space electronics. Such close mimicking of space radiation in the lab builds on the inherent ability of laser-plasma-accelerators to directly produce broadband Maxwellian-type particle flux, akin to conditions in space. In combination with the established sources, utilisation of the growing number of ever more potent laser-plasma-accelerator facilities worldwide as complementary space radiation sources can help alleviate the shortage of available beamtime and may allow for development of advanced test procedures, paving the way towards higher reliability of space missions.

Advances in Spectral Distribution Assessment of Laser Accelerated Protons using Multilayer CR-39 Detectors

“…Proton acceleration up to energies of tens of MeV using high intensity laser pulses (I >10 18 W/cm 2 ) that interact with thin solid targets has been an issue of considerable interest over the last two decades, both experimentally and theoretically [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Most studies on laser-driven proton acceleration were performed under experimental conditions which are characteristic of the so-called Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism.…”

Enhanced laser-driven hadron sources with nanostructured double-layer targets

“…feasibility of laser-driven ion beam analysis for non-destructive materials characterization. Laser-driven ion sources have been considered to test electronic components in a harsh radiation environment [18], for thermal stress testing [19], to study ultra-fast dynamics in irradiated materials [20,21], and for materials synthesis [22,23]. Ultrashort pulsed neutron sources driven by laser-accelerated ions [24-32] have been investigated for applications such as fast neutron spectroscopy [33] and radiography [34].What make these applications particularly attractive are the requirements for the ion source.…”

“…Energies of few MeVs are perfectly suitable for several ion beam analysis techniques [35] or to generate neutrons with a lithium [36] or beryllium [37] converter. Moreover, for selected applications, the inherently broad energy spectrum of a laser-driven ion source [2] is not detrimental [15,17] and could even be beneficial [18]. Maximum ion energies of ∼1 MeV have been recently demonstrated even with commercial, sub-terawatt laser systems [38].…”

Application programmes at the Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA)

“…20 Bunker A is mainly devoted to laser wakefield acceleration studies and, with a working length of 23.5 m, allows for development of coherent radiation sources such as a laser wakefield-driven X-ray free-electron laser. 13,21,22 Other applications include replicating space radiation, 23 Raman amplification and manipulation of intense laser pulses in plasma 24 and X-ray detector development. 25 Bunker B is configured for laser-solid target interactions towards the generation of proton and ion beams and secondary particles, and applications such as studies of warm dense matter, 26 laser-driven fusion 27 and radiography.…”

“…While conventional radiation sources used for space radiation hardness assurance (RHA) 81 produce unnatural, monoenergetic beams, the inherent capability of plasma accelerators to produce broadband beams offers a path to complementary space RHA with a very high level of realism by reproducing space radiation in the laboratory. 23 This approach will be further developed in collaboration with space agencies, industry and other stakeholders. In addition to electronics testing, this research is also relevant to space radiobiology studies and other RHA areas, for example, in the nuclear arena.…”