Speaker
Description
The generation of charged particle beams to ultra-high pulse dose rates (UHPDR) have been proposed for use within future applications, although dosimetry of these beams has proven to be technically challenging. Calorimetry techniques provide an arguably ideal solution but their application is not trivial due to the quasi-instantaneous and inhomogeneous dose deposition patterns. A first of its kind proof-of-principle measurement of the absorbed dose of laser-driven proton beams using a modified small portable graphite calorimeter is reported. Through the use of the VULCAN-PW laser system at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ultra-high dose rate pulses were accelerated producing dose deliveries on the Gy level. The absorbed dose values measured from the calorimeter signal were compared with that obtained through radiochromic films. Electromagnetic pulse effects were assessed, showing no distortion on the measured signal. This investigation thus successfully demonstrates the application of calorimetry techniques as a tool for dosimetry of UHPDR beams.
