Towards compact laser-driven accelerators: exploring the potential of advanced double-layer targets.

The interest in compact, cost-effective, and versatile accelerators is increasing for many applications of great societal relevance, ranging from nuclear medicine to agriculture, pollution control, and cultural heritage conservation. For instance, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) is a non-destructive material characterization technique applied to environmental analysis that requires MeV-energy ions. In this context, superintense laser-driven ion sources represent a promising alternative to conventional accelerators.

Integrated quantitative PIXE analysis and EDX spectroscopy using a laser-driven particle source.

Among the existing elemental characterization techniques, particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy are two of the most widely used in different scientific and technological fields. Here, we present the first quantitative laser-driven PIXE and laser-driven EDX experimental investigation performed at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados in Salamanca. Thanks to their potential for compactness and portability, laser-driven particle sources are very appealing for materials science applications, especially for materials analysis techniques.

Superintense Laser-driven Ion Beam Analysis.

Ion beam analysis techniques are among the most powerful tools for advanced materials characterization. Despite their growing relevance in a widening number of fields, most ion beam analysis facilities still rely on the oldest accelerator technologies, with severe limitations in terms of portability and flexibility. In this work we thoroughly address the potential of superintense laser-driven proton sources for this application.