Development of a laser-wakefield Thomson x-ray source for x-ray fluorescence imaging

T. Staufer; S. Bohlen; K. Poder; T. Brümmer; F. Blumendorf; O. Schmutzler; M. Meisel; J. Osterhoff; F. Grüner

doi:10.1117/12.2520685

24 April 2019 Development of a laser-wakefield Thomson x-ray source for x-ray fluorescence imaging

T. Staufer, S. Bohlen, K. Poder, T. Brümmer, F. Blumendorf, O. Schmutzler, M. Meisel, J. Osterhoff, F. Grüner

Proceedings Volume 11037, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions V; 110370M (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2520685
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) is a new promising imaging method for in vivo localization of low amounts of functionalized gold-nanoparticles (GNPs), enabling early cancer diagnostics and pharmacokinetic tracking studies. At the moment, XFI is not applicable for human-scales, since the modality suffers from an intrinsic high background caused by multiple Compton scattering processes. However, this limitation can be overcome by the use of highly brilliant X-rays combined with advanced filtering schemes. Recent developments in high power laser technology offer the potential to develop very compact X-ray sources by combining laser-wakefield acceleration (LWFA) and Thomson scattering (TS). Such a source is capable of providing high flux X-ray beams in the desired energy range around 100 keV, an energy that is high enough to penetrate through the body and is absorbed by GNPs. Further advantages are the tunability and the all-optical realization of the source, making it compact enough to transfer XFI into clinical practice. To measure the outcoming X-rays, detectors with high efficiency and energy resolution at the desired energies are needed, ideally pixelated, spectroscopic devices. Furthermore, necessary improvements to get the best parameters for the electron and laser beam, are discussed, including the implementation of active plasma lenses. Those devices focus the electron beams onto the interaction point with the scattering laser, enhancing the X-ray source as demonstrated in simulations.

Conference Presentation

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T. Staufer, S. Bohlen, K. Poder, T. Brümmer, F. Blumendorf, O. Schmutzler, M. Meisel, J. Osterhoff, and F. Grüner "Development of a laser-wakefield Thomson x-ray source for x-ray fluorescence imaging", Proc. SPIE 11037, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions V, 110370M (24 April 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2520685

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