First application studies at the laser-driven LIGHT beamline: Improving proton beam homogeneity and imaging of a solid target

TL;DR

This paper reports on the initial application studies of the laser-driven LIGHT beamline, demonstrating improved proton beam homogeneity and successful imaging of a solid target, advancing laser-driven ion source technology.

Contribution

It introduces the first application studies of the LIGHT beamline, showcasing proton beam homogenization and imaging capabilities using laser-driven ion sources.

Findings

Proton beam homogenization achieved.

First imaging results of a solid target obtained.

Demonstrated potential for applications in imaging and materials analysis.

Abstract

In the last two decades, the generation of intense ion beams based on laser-driven sources has become an extensively investigated field. The LIGHT collaboration combines a laserdriven intense ion source with conventional accelerator technology based on the Expertise of laser, plasma and accelerator physicists. Our collaboration has installed a laser-driven multi-MeV ion beamline at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung delivering intense proton bunches in the subnanosecond regime. We investigate possible applications for this beamline, especially in this report we focus on the imaging capabilities. We report on our proton beam homogenization and on first imaging results of a solid target.