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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N33188/02
Title: NOVEL LASER-SOLID INTERACTION STUDIES AT HIGH LASER INTENSITIES ON VULCAN & ASTRA USING NCULEAR TECHNIQUES
Principal Investigator: Ledingham, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Singhal, Dr RP Norreys, Professor PA Bingham, Professor R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Strathclyde
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 09 December 2002 Ends: 08 July 2004 Value (£): 185,140
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Plasmas - Laser & Fusion
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
GR/N33324/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The present proposal describes a programme to study high intensity laser-solid interactions on the VULCAN and ASTRA lasers at RAL using nuclear techniques. The aims and objectives are to study the production of high energy electrons by focussing the laser beam on high Z targets. This will be carried out not only from a fundamental point of view but also to investigate the enormous potential for the practical applications of this technology, particularly as an advanced diagnostic technique in plasma physics and also as a table top reactor for the production of protons, positrons and isotopes. The experiments on VULCAN and ASTRA will be complementary to each other. VULCAN can produce focused intensities of 10(19)Wcm(2) but with a low repetition similar to VULCAN in efficiency in production of beams of protons and isotopes. During the course of this work the production rate of about a pulse per30 min. After upgrade this will increase to 10(21)Wcm(2) in the third year. Additionally ASTRA with its lower intensity of 10(18-19)Wcm(2) can deliver about 1 pulse/sec and hence after the addition of many pulses will be of protons, isotopes, positrons and pions will be studied and compared with the most modern computer simulations.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.strath.ac.uk