| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/I014462/1 |
| Title: |
Bright table-top x-ray sources using laser wakefield acceleration |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mangles, Dr SPD |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
First Grant - Revised 2009 |
| Starts: |
13 October 2010 |
Ends: |
01 March 2013 |
Value (£): |
110,980
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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02 Sep 2010
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Physical Sciences - Physics
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The aim of this project is to develop very bright x-ray sources based on the technique of laser wakefield acceleration. This can all be achieved in a compact, university-scale laboratory as laser wakefield acceleration can produce high energy electron beams ( ~ 1 GeV) in just 1 cm, compared with the 100s of metres required using conventional techniques. In laser wakefield acceleration electrons are accelerated in a plasma wave generated by a very intense laser pulse. As the electrons are accelerated in the wakefield they also oscillate, generating very bright x-rays with properties similar to or even surpassing those of conventional synchrotron radiation sources. In particular, the ultra-short nature of these betatron x-rays opens up the possibility of ultra-fast time-resolved studies that are not possible with conventional synchrotron radiation. Such bright x-rays have a multitude of uses in science and technology, being used to study the microscopic properties of matter in areas as diverse as biology, drug development and materials science. Bringing these bright x-ray sources down to a university-laboratory-scale could significantly increase and broaden access to these important tools for science and discovery.The project will study a number of methods that can manipulate the trajectories of the electrons within the wakefield itself to control and enhance the properties of the x-rays generated. Techniques based on laser pulse shaping, plasma profile shaping and the use of multiple laser pulses will be investigated both numerically, using state-of-the-art computational simulations, and on experiments at a number of world leading laser facilities around the world. Access to the multi-TW laser facilities at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Lund University and the University of Michigan will enable these techniques to be studied for a range of laser parameters. The project builds on the strong track record of the Imperial College Laser-Plasma group in the field of laser wakefield acceleration and radiation generation, providing us with new tools for the study of these extremely bright, ultra-bright laser produced x-rays.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/johnadamsinstitute |
| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.imperial.ac.uk |