arXiv subjects

Roberto Versaci

Publications and source records attributed to Roberto Versaci.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Single-Shot High-Energy Muon and Particle Radiography with a Multi-GeV Laser-Wakefield-Accelerator-Driven Source

We report the first demonstration of single-shot particle radiography using a 1-10 GeV laser-wakefield-generated beam of muons, pions, and neutrons. The test objects were imaged ~15 m from the beam source, through dense lead shielding followed by the walls of a building and a truck. The muon content of the beam was directly confirmed using large volume scintillator-based detectors, which recorded particle decay events with timing delays consistent with the muon lifetime. Simulations confirm that the high energy component of the beam transmitted through the test object is nearly entirely composed of muons, directly showing their highly penetrative nature, with a single-shot fluence equivalent to >8 hours of integration of cosmic ray muons near the horizon. Our work establishes single-shot high-energy particle radiography with a laser-wakefield-accelerator-driven source.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2026

RPC Telescope Tests for Muon Detection at Laser-Plasma Accelerators

We report on a feasibility study conducted at the ELBA facility at ELI Beamlines in 2025 to investigate the possible production of muons from high-energy electron beams generated by extended laser-plasma interactions in optically generated plasma waveguides. Our team operated a portable, autonomous, and compact telescope based on Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detectors, positioned to detect high-penetration charged particles originating from the beam dump. The campaign demonstrated that RPC detectors can operate reliably and safely in the ELBA environment, even under intense radiation and electromagnetic conditions. The collected datasets, though statistically limited and affected by lack of beam control, allow detailed characterization of the background and validated the detectors' stability and tracking performance. These results confirm the feasibility of the approach and provide the foundation for a dedicated future run under optimized beam conditions, where muon detection sensitivity will be substantially improved.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Electron-positron pairs and radioactive nuclei production by irradiation of high-Z target with \gamma-photon flash generated by an ultra-intense laser in the $\lambda^3$ regime

This paper studies the interaction of laser-driven $\gamma$-photons and high energy charged particles with high-Z targets through Monte-Carlo simulations. The interacting particles are taken from particle-in-cell simulations of the interaction of a tightly-focused ultraintense laser pulse with a titanium target. Lead is chosen as the secondary high-Z target owing to its high cross section of the giant dipole resonance and electron-positron pair production. The results reveal an ultra-short ultra-relativistic collimated positron population and their energy spectra, angular distribution, and temporal profile are found. We investigate the target thickness dependence of the resulting total numbers and total kinetic energies of various particle species emitted from the lead target irradiated with laser-generated $\gamma$-photons and charged particles separately. We plot the charts of residual high-Z nuclides generated by irradiation of the lead target. Owing to the short pulse duration, the $\gamma$-photon, electron-positron, and neutron sources can find applications in material science, nuclear physics, laboratory astrophysics, and as injectors in laser-based accelerators of charged particles.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2021

Radiation Protection at ELI Beamlines: A Unique LaserDriven Accelerator Facility

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Beamlines is a laser driven accelerator facility located in the outskirts of the city of Prague. With its state-of-the-art lasers, it will carry out an ambitious and diverse research program. Activities at ELI Beamlines can be broken down in complementary areas of scientific interest: development and testing of novel technologies for multi-PW laser systems, plasma physics, high field physics experiments, production of femtosecond secondary sources of ionizing radiation (extreme ultraviolet radiation, X rays, gamma, electrons, and protons)to be used in interdisciplinary applications in physics, biology, medicine, and material sciences.In-house experiments are already taking place since the first half of 2018, first user calls and experiments started in 2019.In this contribution, the ELI Beamlines accelerator facility and its current status of operation are presented in more details. Particular attention is paid to the design and implementation of the radiation protection program, with emphasis on the unique challenges this laser facility poses in terms of radiation safety.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2020

Bremsstrahlung emission and plasma characterization driven by moderately relativistic laser-plasma interactions

Relativistic electrons generated by the interaction of petawatt-class short laser pulses with solid targets can be used to generate bright X-rays via bremsstrahlung. The efficiency of laser energy transfer into these electrons depends on multiple parameters including the focused intensity and pre-plasma level. This paper reports experimental results from the interaction of a high intensity petawatt-class glass laser pulses with solid targets at a maximum intensity of $10^{19}$ W/cm$^2$. In-situ measurements of specularly reflected light are used to provide an upper bound of laser absorption and to characterize focused laser intensity, the pre-plasma level and the generation mechanism of second harmonic light. The measured spectrum of electrons and bremsstrahlung radiation provide information about the efficiency of laser energy transfer.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2015

Code intercomparison and benchmark for muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by an 18-GeV electron beam after massive iron shielding

In 1974, Nelson, Kase, and Svenson published an experimental investigation on muon shielding using the SLAC high energy LINAC. They measured muon fluence and absorbed dose induced by a 18 GeV electron beam hitting a copper/water beam dump and attenuated in a thick steel shielding. In their paper, they compared the results with the theoretical mode ls available at the time. In order to compare their experimental results with present model calculations, we use the modern transport Monte Carlo codes MARS15, FLUKA2011 and GEANT4 to model the experimental setup and run simulations. The results will then be compared between the codes, and with the SLAC data.

physics.acc-ph↗