Description
Recent advances in high-power laser technology have enabled new approaches to electron acceleration, facilitating the development of innovative irradiation platforms for radiobiological research. Ultrahigh dose rate (UHDR) radiation delivery has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer therapy, particularly due to the FLASH effect, which has been shown to maintain antitumor efficacy while significantly reducing damage to healthy tissues. High-intensity petawatt-class laser systems, such as the 10 PW laser available at ELI-NP, provide a unique opportunity to generate very high-energy electrons (VHEEs) at extreme dose rates exceeding 10¹² Gy/s in ultrashort pulses (<1 ps).
In this work, we report for the first time the design, implementation, and characterization of an experimental setup dedicated to the irradiation of live cells—both healthy and cancerous—using electrons produced by the interaction of a 10 PW laser with a mixed gas jet target (N₂ + He). The setup was optimized to achieve precise control over key electron beam parameters, including energy spectrum, dose rate, and spatial uniformity, enabling reproducible and well-controlled biological experiments. Comprehensive dosimetry was performed using radiochromic films, image plates, ionization chambers, and optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLs) to ensure accurate dose delivery to cell cultures. System validation was carried out through in vitro assays evaluating post-irradiation cell viability, demonstrating the feasibility of this laser-driven electron source for radiobiological studies. These results establish a robust foundation for future investigations of ultrahigh-dose-rate electron irradiation and its potential applications in radiotherapy research.
