Multi-Probe 24A Pre-Shot report

Abstract

The Multi-Probe Radiography campaign will field a full day of experiments at the Omega EP laser facility. The day consists of shots alternating between Omega EP’s two short-pulse laser beams. The Backlighter beam will generate proton and deuteron beams from 500-800nm CH/CD film targets, and the Sidelighter beam will accelerate electrons to generate x-rays from 0.5mm x 25-50µm Ø Ta wire targets attached to Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) cones. The ion beams shots will optimize CD foil thickness (maximizing ion energy/yield) for the transparency regime for use as the pitcher in a pitcher catcher neutron-generation platform. Several shots will include a LiF catcher within the NTA and this feeds into future neutron radiography work. X-ray shots will be used to characterize the platform established in FY2020B via measurement of electron spectra with and without the Ta wire, and radiography will be conducted at varying laser energies. This will validate PIC electron acceleration modeling while also demonstrating potential for using the x-ray platform for imaging of thicker objects.