Ultrafast laser-driven ion interactions in matter: Evolving dose distribution at the nanoscale and nonlinear response
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Abstract
In physics, scaling laws provide a dual function. First, they can reveal the underlying physical mechanisms that govern a system by establishing how the system responds to changes or perturbations. This is particularly true of nonlinear scaling laws where small changes in an input perturbation can lead to dramatic changes in the response of the system. Secondly scaling laws provide researchers with a tool that they can use to predict how a system will evolve for a given set of input parameters. This is a crucial step towards providing highly-targeted, cutting-edge applications. It is within this framework that we propose to study the ultrafast dynamics that result from ion interactions in matter to determine how the characteristic response of the medium scales with the incident ion flux.
To study any ultrafast process directly it is critical that the perturbation causing the system to change is significantly shorter than the natural recovery time of the system. If the perturbation is significantly longer that this recovery there will be repeated cycles of excitation and relaxation within a single interaction. This inhibits the ability to extract fundamental information about the system without complicated approximations and assumptions. Unfortunately, to date, this has been the overriding problem for the study of ion interactions in matter. The ion pulses that have been available from large accelerator facilities have been 100's of picoseconds in duration which is significantly longer than the femtosecond and few picosecond characteristic recovery times of matter in response to irradiation. Accordingly, existing experimental results relating to the earliest accessible stages of ion matter interactions have prohibitively large associated uncertainties.
Our approach overcomes this issue by generating ultrafast pulses of ions using laser driven ion accelerators. This performance will allow the stopping of energetic ions (> 1 MeV/nucleon) in matter to be studied on femtosecond and picosecond timescales. We will use this capability to understand how the resulting pathways to equilibrium can be controlled by varying the incident flux of ions and investigate the new possibilities this offers for advanced applications in both radiation chemistry and hadrontherapy.
The Centre for Plasma Physics in Queen's University Belfast is currently constructing the world's highest energy few-optical-cycle laser system, TARANIS-X, due to come online in late 2016. This unique environment will allow us to generate the shortest pulses of ions produced in the laboratory to date. With this state of the art facility it will be possible to test, in real time, the fundamental limits of ion interactions in matter. Understanding this behaviour is a key goal of this research. In particular extending these experiments to ion interactions in water will allow us to investigate the potential for new modalities of dose delivery during hadron (or ion beam) therapy. This is because water makes up over >70% of human cells and so it makes for an ideal system in which to study the effects of ionising radiation in the human body.
Finally, one of the key motivators for this proposal is the indication of nonlinear response with respect to ion flux in low temporal resolution experiments performed to support the scientific case for this work. Together with our international partners in Germany (Munich) and the U.S. (Texas) we will investigate multiple different interaction regimes to determine the scaling of this nonlinear response and, in partnership with the GEANT4 DNA collaboration, we will develop numerical approaches to form a clear understanding of the scaling law (or laws) that governs it.
To study any ultrafast process directly it is critical that the perturbation causing the system to change is significantly shorter than the natural recovery time of the system. If the perturbation is significantly longer that this recovery there will be repeated cycles of excitation and relaxation within a single interaction. This inhibits the ability to extract fundamental information about the system without complicated approximations and assumptions. Unfortunately, to date, this has been the overriding problem for the study of ion interactions in matter. The ion pulses that have been available from large accelerator facilities have been 100's of picoseconds in duration which is significantly longer than the femtosecond and few picosecond characteristic recovery times of matter in response to irradiation. Accordingly, existing experimental results relating to the earliest accessible stages of ion matter interactions have prohibitively large associated uncertainties.
Our approach overcomes this issue by generating ultrafast pulses of ions using laser driven ion accelerators. This performance will allow the stopping of energetic ions (> 1 MeV/nucleon) in matter to be studied on femtosecond and picosecond timescales. We will use this capability to understand how the resulting pathways to equilibrium can be controlled by varying the incident flux of ions and investigate the new possibilities this offers for advanced applications in both radiation chemistry and hadrontherapy.
The Centre for Plasma Physics in Queen's University Belfast is currently constructing the world's highest energy few-optical-cycle laser system, TARANIS-X, due to come online in late 2016. This unique environment will allow us to generate the shortest pulses of ions produced in the laboratory to date. With this state of the art facility it will be possible to test, in real time, the fundamental limits of ion interactions in matter. Understanding this behaviour is a key goal of this research. In particular extending these experiments to ion interactions in water will allow us to investigate the potential for new modalities of dose delivery during hadron (or ion beam) therapy. This is because water makes up over >70% of human cells and so it makes for an ideal system in which to study the effects of ionising radiation in the human body.
Finally, one of the key motivators for this proposal is the indication of nonlinear response with respect to ion flux in low temporal resolution experiments performed to support the scientific case for this work. Together with our international partners in Germany (Munich) and the U.S. (Texas) we will investigate multiple different interaction regimes to determine the scaling of this nonlinear response and, in partnership with the GEANT4 DNA collaboration, we will develop numerical approaches to form a clear understanding of the scaling law (or laws) that governs it.
Planned Impact
The impacts generated by this research will cut right across the socio-economic spectrum. For the first time it will be possible to quantify the fundamental interaction of ions with matter allowing researchers to determine how these interactions scale with the flux of incident ions. This opens the possibility of harnessing these interactions directly to increase efficiency and safety for applications in manufacturing and healthcare. The details of the expected impacts are described below under 4 distinct headings.
Knowledge
The development of cutting edge science using the world leading laser capabilities available in Queen's University Belfast will contribute directly to the UKs ability to drive the next generation of technology and applications for a knowledge based economy. We will also capitalise on the outputs of our research to inspire the next generation of young children to become involved in science. Through our extensive public engagement programme that includes the Northern Ireland Science Festival, we will demonstrate to a brand new audience how ion beams can change the world around us and how the TARANIS-X laser is leading the way in shaping this future technology.
People
This project will train at least 5 people (3 PDRA and 2 PhDs, with the potential for an additional 2 PhDs in coming years, bringing the total to 7) in world leading technologies based on ultrafast science. These people will become the next generation of scientists who lead and innovate. This project will also offer them the opportunity to travel to international laboratories and to present results at international conferences creating the ideal platform for exposure to different practices and to engage in knowledge transfer with groups from outside the UK.
Economy
Ion beam based manufacturing processes for future technologies in the semiconductor industry have the potential to revolutionise how integrated circuits are constructed and metrologised on the production line. This proposal will study how radiation induced processes in semiconductor industry relevant materials (i.e. SiO2) scale with the incident ion flux so that novel capabilities can be tailored to an exceptionally high degree of accuracy. Also, as electronic devices shrink to ever smaller dimensions it will become increasingly important to understand how radiation induced processes scale with dimensionality for the deployment of circuits in radiation harsh environments such as in nuclear engineering and deep space travel. Through our use of nanostructured media it will be possible to determine exactly how reducing the dimensionality can affect the recovery time of the material and how solutions can be found to overcome the resulting problems.
Society
One very clear impact from the proposed research is the advance in healthcare for society it will deliver. At key objective of our proposed research is to examine the fundamental interaction of ions in water and reveal how ion flux determines the production of the radical species that take part in killing cancer cells for hadrontherapy. We will also the study the role of predicted shock induced delay in the formation of these radical species, its potential role in dose fractionating (or time scale for recovery) and how this process scales with ion flux. The predicted nonlinearity in the production of radicals with respect to ion flux also offers a brand new approach to enhanced protection for tissue surrounding a deep seated tumour volume. In particular, the pathways towards a 'crossfire' treatment technique will be investigated. In this scheme multiple low dose beams are overlapped in the tumour volume leading to nonlinear growth of radicals in the tumour volume while leaving the surrounding tissue exposed to significantly lower risk of damage and cell death through radiation induced processes. This, by extension, will lead to increased patient safety and reduced requirement for treatment aftercare.
Knowledge
The development of cutting edge science using the world leading laser capabilities available in Queen's University Belfast will contribute directly to the UKs ability to drive the next generation of technology and applications for a knowledge based economy. We will also capitalise on the outputs of our research to inspire the next generation of young children to become involved in science. Through our extensive public engagement programme that includes the Northern Ireland Science Festival, we will demonstrate to a brand new audience how ion beams can change the world around us and how the TARANIS-X laser is leading the way in shaping this future technology.
People
This project will train at least 5 people (3 PDRA and 2 PhDs, with the potential for an additional 2 PhDs in coming years, bringing the total to 7) in world leading technologies based on ultrafast science. These people will become the next generation of scientists who lead and innovate. This project will also offer them the opportunity to travel to international laboratories and to present results at international conferences creating the ideal platform for exposure to different practices and to engage in knowledge transfer with groups from outside the UK.
Economy
Ion beam based manufacturing processes for future technologies in the semiconductor industry have the potential to revolutionise how integrated circuits are constructed and metrologised on the production line. This proposal will study how radiation induced processes in semiconductor industry relevant materials (i.e. SiO2) scale with the incident ion flux so that novel capabilities can be tailored to an exceptionally high degree of accuracy. Also, as electronic devices shrink to ever smaller dimensions it will become increasingly important to understand how radiation induced processes scale with dimensionality for the deployment of circuits in radiation harsh environments such as in nuclear engineering and deep space travel. Through our use of nanostructured media it will be possible to determine exactly how reducing the dimensionality can affect the recovery time of the material and how solutions can be found to overcome the resulting problems.
Society
One very clear impact from the proposed research is the advance in healthcare for society it will deliver. At key objective of our proposed research is to examine the fundamental interaction of ions in water and reveal how ion flux determines the production of the radical species that take part in killing cancer cells for hadrontherapy. We will also the study the role of predicted shock induced delay in the formation of these radical species, its potential role in dose fractionating (or time scale for recovery) and how this process scales with ion flux. The predicted nonlinearity in the production of radicals with respect to ion flux also offers a brand new approach to enhanced protection for tissue surrounding a deep seated tumour volume. In particular, the pathways towards a 'crossfire' treatment technique will be investigated. In this scheme multiple low dose beams are overlapped in the tumour volume leading to nonlinear growth of radicals in the tumour volume while leaving the surrounding tissue exposed to significantly lower risk of damage and cell death through radiation induced processes. This, by extension, will lead to increased patient safety and reduced requirement for treatment aftercare.
Organisations
- Queen's University Belfast (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Texas at Austin (Collaboration)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) (Collaboration)
- Technological Educational Institute of Crete (Collaboration)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) (Collaboration)
- Saclay Nuclear Research Centre (Collaboration)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Project Partner)
- French National Centre for Scientific Research (Project Partner)
- The University of Texas at Austin (Project Partner)
Publications
Behm KT
(2018)
A spectrometer for ultrashort gamma-ray pulses with photon energies greater than 10 MeV.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Bin JH
(2018)
Enhanced Laser-Driven Ion Acceleration by Superponderomotive Electrons Generated from Near-Critical-Density Plasma.
in Physical review letters
Bruschetta S.
(2017)
Current and planned future experiments with relativistic high harmonic generation using the JETI200 laser
in 44th EPS Conference on Plasma Physics, EPS 2017
Coughlan M
(2020)
Ultrafast dynamics and evolution of ion-induced opacity in transparent dielectrics
in New Journal of Physics
Cousens S
(2020)
Electron trajectories associated with laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission at the front surface of overdense plasmas.
in Physical review. E
Dromey B
(2023)
Plasma optics promise exawatt performance
in Nature Photonics
Fitzpatrick C
(2024)
Attosecond pulse isolation via intense laser field synthesis
in Physical Review Research
Description | We have made a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how protons and ions interact in matter on ultrashort time frames. The work is currently undergoing refinement and will be full described in the next research submission round. This work has resulted in novel insights into how protons and ions lead to damage in materials in real time. This will be used to inform nuclear and healthcare technologies and pave the way for novel treatments and modalities as the research outcomes mature. |
Exploitation Route | Once complete this work will contribute directly to the development of a comprehensive picture of energy transport on the nanoscale in the immediate aftermath of irradiation. It will demonstrate that nanoscopic structures and dynamics can be exploited to to play a deciding role in macroscopic phenomenology. |
Sectors | Chemicals Education Electronics Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | The results of this research have drawn interest from Guardion Inc, a spin out company from Northeastern University operating in the nanomaterials sector. testing of novel detectors for high flux X-rays is currently taking place with plans for new applications to the Ireland-US scheme with Science Foundation Ireland. The impact is emerging, however a clear trajectory is in place for developing this strand in the coming years. The award provides the basis for our outreach activities. These have high visibility within the NI science festival and take place at the ulster museum reaching thousands of members of the public. The results of this research have drawn interest from Guardion Inc, a spin out company from Northeastern University operating in the nanomaterials sector. testing of novel detectors for high flux X-rays is currently taking place with plans for new applications to the Ireland-US scheme with Science Foundation Ireland. This activity has now grown to involve multiple members of the Centre for Light Matter Interactions with new impetus on investigating the ultrafast radiation in matter. This has resulted in invitations to become a member of a COST action on multiscale modelling in matter and to be part of a submission for a European International Training Network. The work undertaken as part of this award has also seeded new successful grant submissions and broken new ground on collaborations with high power laser facilities and most recently sparked the potential for a new collaboration with TAU Systems in Austin Texas, a company that specialises in examining the possibility of exploring the commercialisation of secondary radiation sources from high power laser systems. |
First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
Sector | Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Other |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Erasmus Plus |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 10/2019 |
Title | Chirped Pulse Optical Streaking |
Description | Novel method using chirped pulses from Chirped Pulse Amplification laser systems to provide real time information on the spatiotemporal evolution of ionisation induced opacity in matter. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This work has seeded new successful proposal submissions to UKRI, developed new collaborators, |
URL | https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/ultra-fast-opacity-in-transparent-dielectrics-induced-by-pico... |
Description | CEA Saclay collaboration |
Organisation | Saclay Nuclear Research Centre |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | WE performed and designed experiments on both the Gemini laser system at RAL and the ultrafast laser system at CEA Saclay |
Collaborator Contribution | Provide staff and expertise for experiments and dedicated access to a world class laser facility |
Impact | 3 papers ( 1 PRL, 1 Nature Communications, I New Journal of Phyiscs) Invitations to further experiments |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Helmholtz institute Jena |
Organisation | Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | WE attended and designed new experiments on the Jeti laser in Jena |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to world class laser facilities, plasma mirror setup and cutting edge diagnostic suite |
Impact | > 6 published articles (PRL, 3 invited talks at international conferences |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Partrnership with CALA in Munich |
Organisation | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in ultrafast laser ion interactions with matter |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to cutting edge laser facilities |
Impact | Not applicable yet - early stage of collaboration |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | TEI Crete collaboration |
Organisation | Technological Educational Institute of Crete |
Country | Greece |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Travelled and performed experiments at the ultrafast laser system in Rethymno, Crete |
Collaborator Contribution | They provided access to their laser system at not cost and full time experimental support |
Impact | 3 publications, 1 PRL, 1 New Journal of Physics and 1 Optics letters Plans and invitations for future experiments |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Texas Petawatt, Austin Texas U.S. |
Organisation | University of Texas at Austin |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are working on novel diagnostics for studying laser driven electrons and ions |
Collaborator Contribution | Access has been granted to laser experimental area and target fabrication |
Impact | As a very new collaboration the outcomes are currently in preparation, but we anticipate |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Crete summer school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Creating awareness to international PhD students about on going work in relativistic laser plasmas and attosecond sources Experiments planned, international networking, invited talks |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Cross border schools initiative |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | School students interest in scientific discussions Students planning to visit lab, cross border initiative |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Incredible power of light roadshow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We hosted and provided full time staffing for the Incredible power of light roadshow from the STFC in the Ulster Museum during February and March 2015. Our active participation in this public out reach event saw over 10,000 members of the public and over 1000 pupils from regional (Northern Ireland) schools. We demonstrated the exhibits and informed attendees about how to pursue careers in science, technology engineering and mathematics with particular emphasis on laser and light based technologies. Since this was the first year it was difficult to directly measure impact. However our success saw my group invited to return to present the exhibits again the following year (2016). Also the impact on regional schools was tangible with over 10 requests from individual school groups to provide year round displays in public forums with dedicated exhibitors such as those provided by my group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Laser lab meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Talk lead to discussion about future directions for Laser-lab Europe Invitations to perform experiments |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Lasers live demonstration, Northern Ireland Science festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | In 2015 the inaugural Northern Ireland Science festival was held. Following our successful collaboration with Ulster museum with the STFCs Incredible Power of Light roadshow we were invited to build and demonstrate a Laser's Live exhibition in the Foyer of the Ulster Museum. This highly visible location saw nearly 11,000 members of the public attend live demonstrations of how light energy can be harnessed over an 9 day period in 2015. This was so successful the Ulster Museum invited us to return for an extended period in 2016, extending our reach beyond that of the Northern Ireland Science festival for a 12 day residence in the Foyer. This saw > 18,000 attendees to the museum visit our live demonstrations We performed detailed metrology in 2016 with over 1000 questionnaires completed by school students and members of the public with ages ranging from 3 - >60 years. The results of these questionnaires are currently being processed but the response has been overwhelming. All numbers for attendance are official numbers of the Ulster Museum. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
Description | Lasers live demonstration, Northern Ireland Science festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Over 20,000 members of the public attended our Lasers live event held in the Ulster museum as part of Northern Ireland Science festival. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Late Lab |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As part of the Northern Ireland Science festival we have presented live demonstrations at the Late Lab showcase event of how light can be used to change our world to members of the public. On both occasions over 1000 members of the public attended our stands and interacted with our demonstrators in a 1 -1 basis in an very different setting to what is normal of a scientific setting. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFN3JCAgj58 |
Description | Northern ireland Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Over 20,000 members of the public attended our Lasers live event held in the Ulster museum as part of Northern Ireland Science festival. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
Description | UCD Japan Ireland Initiative |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Generate new collaborative links in Japan, investigate novel funding streams New collaborations forged, invitations to international labs for experiments |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
Description | W5 Late |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | New W5 late activity - >1500 members of the public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |