Simultaneous PW-scale laser driven MeV X-ray and neutron beam characterization for dual radiography capability

TL;DR

This paper presents the first quantitative measurements of MeV X-ray spectra and neutron emissions from ultra-intense laser interactions, demonstrating dual radiography capabilities for dense material imaging.

Contribution

It introduces the first simultaneous characterization of high-energy photon and neutron sources generated by petawatt laser pulses in a single shot.

Findings

Measured photon spectra from 0.1 to 100 MeV in the petawatt regime.

Characterized simultaneous MeV neutron production and angular distribution.

Showed potential for in-depth material identification using moderated neutrons.

Abstract

Laser-driven, high-brilliance secondary sources (electrons, ions, neutrons, X-rays) open new perspectives for compact material probing and imaging of high-speed events. A key advantage is their ability to perform multiplexed probing, as these sources are generated simultaneously in a single shot using a single laser beam. Here, we report the first quantitative measurements of photon spectra (0.1--100 MeV) and angular distributions in the petawatt interaction regime, using an ultra-intense ($>10^{21}\,\rm W/cm^2$), ultra-short (24~fs) laser pulse. These results are complemented by the characterization of simultaneously produced MeV neutrons. We demonstrate that these neutrons, once moderated, can enable in-depth material identification via resonance transmission analysis. This work highlights the potential of compact, ultrashort-pulse PW lasers for dual neutron and X-ray radiography of dense materials.