Characterization of a gamma-ray source based on a laser-plasma accelerator with applications to radiography

The application of high intensity laser-produced gamma rays is discussed with regard to picosecond resolution deep-penetration radiography. The spectrum and angular distribution of these gamma rays is measured using an array of thermoluminescent detectors for both an underdense (gas) target and an overdense (solid) target. It is found that the use of an underdense target in a laser plasma accelerator configuration produces a much more intense and directional source. The peak dose is also increased significantly. Radiography is demonstrated in these experiments and the source size is also estimated. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Proton radiography as an electromagnetic field and density perturbation diagnostic (invited)

Laser driven proton beams have been used to diagnose transient fields and density perturbations in laser produced plasmas. Grid deflectometry techniques have been applied to proton radiography to obtain precise measurements of proton beam angles caused by electromagnetic fields in laser produced plasmas. Application of proton radiography to laser driven implosions has demonstrated that density conditions in compressed media can be diagnosed with million electron volt protons. This data has shown that proton radiography can provide unique insight into transient electromagnetic fields in super critical density plasmas and provide a density perturbation diagnostics in compressed matter.

Bright Laser-Driven Neutron Source Based on the Relativistic Transparency of Solids

Neutrons are unique particles to probe samples in many ?elds of research ranging from biology to material sciences to engineering and security applications. Access to bright, pulsed sources is currently
limited to large accelerator facilities and there has been a growing need for compact sources over the recent years. Short pulse laser driven neutron sources could be a compact and relatively cheap way to
produce neutrons with energies in excess of 10 MeV. For more than a decade experiments have tried to obtain neutron numbers suf?cient for applications. Our recent experiments demonstrated an ion acceleration mechanism based on the concept of relativistic transparency. Using this new mechanism, we produced an intense beam of high energy (up to 170 MeV) deuterons directed into a Be converter to
produce a forward peaked neutron ?ux with a record yield, on the order of 1010 n=sr. We present results comparing the two acceleration mechanisms and the ?rst short pulse laser generated neutron radiograph.

A Neutron Diffraction and Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Acetate-based Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Glucose

The liquid state structure of the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, and the solute/solvent structure of glucose dissolved in the ionic liquid at a 1: 6 molar ratio have been investigated at 323 K by molecular dynamics simulations and neutron diffraction experiments using H/D isotopically substituted materials. Interactions between hydrogen-bond donating cation sites and polar, directional hydrogen-bond accepting acetate anions are examined. Ion-ion radial distribution functions for the neat ionic liquid, calculated from both MD and derived from the empirical potential structure refinement model to the experimental data, show the alternating shell-structure of anions around the cation, as anticipated. Spatial probability distributions reveal the main anion-to-cation features as in-plane interactions of anions with imidazolium ring hydrogens and cation-cation planar stacking. Interestingly, the presence of the polarised hydrogen-bond acceptor anion leads to increased anion-anion tail-tail structuring within each anion shell, indicating the onset of hydrophobic regions within the anion regions of the liquid.

Structure of molten 1,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride using neutron diffraction

The model room temperature ionic liquid, 1,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride, has been studied by neutron diffraction for the first time. The diffraction data are used to derive a structural model of this liquid using Empirical Potential Structure Refinement. The model obtained indicates that significant charge ordering is present in the liquid salt and that the local order in this liquid closely resembles that found in the solid state. As in the crystal structure, hydrogen-bonding interactions between the ring hydrogens and the chloride dominate the structure. The model is compared with the data reported previously for both simple alkyl substituted imidazolium halides and binary mixtures with AlCl3. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.

Search protocols for hidden forensic objects beneath floors and within walls

The burial of objects (human remains, explosives, weapons) below or behind concrete, brick, plaster or tiling may be associated with serious crime and are difficult locations to search. These are quite common forensic search scenarios but little has been published on them to-date. Most documented discoveries are accidental or from suspect/witness testimony. The problem in locating such hidden objects means a random or chance-based approach is not advisable. A preliminary strategy is presented here, based on previous studies, augmented by primary research where new technology or applications are required. This blend allows a rudimentary search workflow, from remote desktop study, to non-destructive investigation through to recommendations as to how the above may inform excavation, demonstrated here with a case study from a homicide investigation. Published case studies on the search for human remains demonstrate the problems encountered when trying to find and recover sealed-in and sealed over locations. Established methods include desktop study, photography, geophysics and search dogs:these are integrated with new technology (LiDAR and laser scanning; photographic rectification; close quarter aerial imagery; ground-penetrating radar on walls and gamma-ray/neutron activation radiography) to propose this possible search strategy.

Association and liquid structure of pyridine-acetic acid mixtures determined from neutron scattering using a ‘free proton’ EPSR simulation model

The liquid structure of pyridine-acetic acid mixtures have been investigated using neutron scattering at various mole fractions of acetic acid, χHOAc = 0.33, 0.50, and 0.67, and compared to the structures of neat pyridine and acetic acid. Data has been modelled using Empirical Potential Structure Refinement (EPSR) with a ‘free proton’ reference model, which has no prejudicial weighting towards either the existence of molecular or ionised species. Analysis of the neutron scattering results shows the existence of hydrogen-bonded acetic acid chains with pyridine inclusions, rather than the formation of an ionic liquid by proton transfer.

Calibration of time of flight detectors using laser-driven neutron source

Calibration of three scintillators (EJ232Q, BC422Q, and EJ410) in a time-of-flight arrangement using a laser drive-neutron source is presented. The three plastic scintillator detectors were calibrated with gamma insensitive bubble detector spectrometers, which were absolutely calibrated over a wide range of neutron energies ranging from sub-MeV to 20 MeV. A typical set of data obtained simultaneously by the detectors is shown, measuring the neutron spectrum emitted from a petawatt laser irradiated thin foil.

Structure and dynamics of aqueous 2-propanol: A THz-TDS, NMR and neutron diffraction study

Aqueous liquid mixtures, in particular, those involving amphiphilic species, play an important role in many physical, chemical and biological processes. Of particular interest are alcohol/water mixtures; however, the structural dynamics of such systems are still not fully understood. Herein, a combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and NMR relaxation time analysis has been applied to investigate 2-propanol/water mixtures across the entire composition range; while neutron diffraction studies have been carried out at two specific concentrations. Excellent agreement is seen between the techniques with a maximum in both the relative absorption coefficient and the activation energy to molecular motion occurring at ∼90 mol% H₂O. Furthermore, this is the same value at which well-established excess thermodynamic functions exhibit a maximum/minimum. Additionally, both neutron diffraction and THz-TDS have been used to provide estimates of the size of the hydration shell around 2-propanol in solution. Both methods determine that between 4 and 5 H₂O molecules per 2-propanol are found in the 2-propanol/water clusters at 90 mol% H₂O. Based on the acquired data, a description of the structure of 2-propanol/water across the composition range is presented.