Intense high-quality medical proton beams via laser fields

Opt Express. 2010 Dec 6;18(25):25950-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.18.025950.

Abstract

Simulations based on the coupled relativistic equations of motion show that protons stemming from laser-plasma processes can be efficiently post-accelerated employing single and crossed pulsed laser beams focused to spot radii on the order of the laser wavelength. We demonstrate that the crossed beams produce quasi-monoenergetic accelerated protons with kinetic energies exceeding 200 MeV, small energy spreads of about 1% and high densities as required for hadron cancer therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first scheme allowing for this important application based on an all-optical set-up.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Laser Therapy / instrumentation*
  • Lasers*
  • Proton Therapy
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy / instrumentation*
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy / methods

Substances

  • Protons