Discriminative detection of laser-accelerated multi-MeV carbon ions utilizing solid state nuclear track detectors

AbstractA new diagnosis method for the discriminative detection of laser-accelerated multi-MeV carbon ions from background oxygen ions utilizing solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) is proposed. The idea is to combine two kinds of SSNTDs having different track registration sensitivities: Bisphenol A polycarbonate detects carbon and the heavier ions, and polyethylene terephthalate detects oxygen and the heavier ions. The method is calibrated with mono-energetic carbon and oxygen ion beams from the heavy ion accelerator. Based on the calibration data, the method is applied to identify carbon ions accelerated from multilayered graphene targets irradiated by a high-power laser, where the generation of high-energy high-purity carbon ions is expected. It is found that 93 ± 1% of the accelerated heavy ions with energies larger than 14 MeV are carbons. The results thus obtained support that carbon-rich heavy ion acceleration is achieved.

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Comparison between Experiment and Calculation on Induced Activities in Concrete for High Energy Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facilities

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology ◽

10.1080/00223131.2004.10875670 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 41 (sup4) ◽

pp. 164-167

Author(s):

Hiroshi Yamakawa ◽

Koji Oishi ◽

Yoshitomo Uwamino ◽

Kazuaki Kosako ◽

Hiroshi Yashima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Ion ◽

High Energy ◽

Heavy Ion Accelerator ◽

Ion Accelerator

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External beam for the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility

EPJ Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/epjconf/202023201005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 232 ◽

pp. 01005

Author(s):

S. Shaharuddin ◽

J. Stuchbery ◽

E. C. Simpson ◽

Z. K. Gan ◽

A. C. Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systems Engineering ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Ion Beam ◽

Heavy Ion ◽

High Energy ◽

External Beam ◽

Accelerator Facility ◽

Heavy Ion Accelerator ◽

Beam Design ◽

Ion Accelerator

Radiotherapy using protons and heavier ions is emerging as an alternative to traditional photon radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Ions have a depth-dose profile that results in high energy deposition at the end of the particle’s path, with a relatively low dosage elsewhere. However, the specifics of ion interactions with cellular biology are not yet fully understood. To study the induced biological effects of the ions on cell cultures, an external beam is required as biological specimens cannot be placed in vacuum. The Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) at the Australian National University hosts accelerators for a wide variety of ion-beam research applications. However, HIAF does not currently have an external beam capability. Here, we present an initial design for a radiobiological research capability at HIAF. A systems engineering approach was used to develop the architecture of the apparatus and determine the feasibility of adapting the current facilities to external beam applications. This effort included ion optics calculations, coupled to a Geant4 simulation, to characterise ion beam transitions through a thin window into the air. The beam spread, intensity distributions, and energy of proton and carbon ions were studied as a function of distance travelled from the window, as well as the effects of alternative window materials and thicknesses. It was determined that the proposed line at the HIAF would be suitable for the desired applications. Overall, this feasibility study lays the foundations of an external beam design, a simulation test framework, and the basis for a grant application for an external beam at the HIAF.

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