X-ray generators and sources

Propagation-based imaging phase-contrast enhanced imaging setup for single shot acquisition using laser-generated X-ray sources

The development of new diagnostics is important to improve the interpretation of experiments. Often well-known physical processes and techniques originally developed in unrelated fields of science can be applied to a different area with a significant impact on the quality of the produced data. X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) is one techniques which has found many applications in biology and medicine. This is due to its capability to emphasise the presence of strong density variations normally oriented with respect to the X-ray propagation direction.

A laser-produced plasma X-ray source for contact microscopy

A promising field of application of the X-ray radiation generated by intense laser-matter interaction is the contact-microscopy of biological samples. In order to optimize the yield on the desired spectral window, it is fundamental to have an accurate characterization of this emitted radiation. To this purpose, an experimental campaign is underway with the three-nanosecond phosphate Nd:glass laser at the ABC laboratory in ENEA. The plasma was generated by irradiating solid targets with energy up to 30 J, and intensity on target up to 1014 Wcm−2.

© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma