Laser-plasma accelerators are of great interest because of their ability to sustain extremely large acceleration gradients, enabling compact accelerating structures. Laser-plasma acceleration is realized by using a high-intensity short pulse laser to drive a large plasma wave or wakefield in an underdense plasma. This thesis considers the effect of axial plasma density upramps on laser wakefield acceleration. Theoretical groundwork shows that tapered plasma channels can be used to mitigate one of the main limitations of laser plasma acceleration, that is, dephasing of an electron beam with respect to the plasma wave. It is shown that it is possible to maintain an electron bunch at constant phase in the longitudinal electric fields of the laser wake field. This leads to an increased energy gain of an electron trapped in the wakefield. The required shape of the density slope is difficult to implement in experiments. Therefore, a linear density ramp is also considered which is predicted to also increase the energy gain beyond that possible in a uniform density plasma. Towards an experimental implementation it was studied how a suitable gas density profile can be established in a capillary. This was done employing simulations using the computational fluid dynamics tool kit OpenFoam and comparing these to measurements of the axial density profile based on Raman scattering. It was demonstrated that a linear density ramp could be established by applying different pressures on the capillary gas inlets. The dependence of the density profile on the capillary parameters, such as, capillary diameter and length and inlet diameter were also studied. The results of the simulations and the measurement showed excellent agreement and demonstrate that approximately linear density ramps can be generated by flowing gas along a capillary of constant cross-section Laser wakefield acceleration in plasmas with longitudinally varying density was investigated in an experiment at the Astra Laser at Rutherford Laboratories. The experiment utilised ionisation injection in order to operate in the mildly non-linear regime of laser-wakefield acceleration. The measured electron energies agree well with the theoretical predictions. It was demonstrated that an increase in the energy gain can be obtained by driving the accelerator in a ramped plasma, the electron spectrum is more narrow and the injected charge increases significantly. Measurements of the X-ray spectrum emitted by the betatron motion of the accelerated electron bunch allowed the transverse radius of the bunch to be deduced. These measurements showed that retrieved electron bunch radius is inversely proportional to the longitudinal density gradient, that is a plasma density upramp (downramp) has a decreased (increased) electron bunch radius.

Avec les dernières augmentations de l'intensité maximale de laser réalisable grâce à de courtes impulsions à haute puissance (gamme femtoseconde) un intérêt a surgi dans les sources de plasma laser potentiels. Les lasers sont utilisés en radiographie proton, allumage rapide, hadronthérapie, la production de radioisotopes et de laboratoire astrophysique. Au cours de l'interaction laser-cible, les ions sont accélérés par des processus physiques différents, en fonction de la zone de la cible. Tous ces mécanismes ont un point commun: les ions sont accélérés par des champs électriques intenses, qui se produisent en raison de la séparation de forte charge induite par l'interaction de l'impulsion laser avec la cible, directement ou indirectement. Deux principales sources distinctes pour le déplacement de charge peuvent être mis en évidence. Le premier est le gradient de charge provoquée par l'action directe de la force ponderomotive de laser sur les électrons dans la surface avant de la cible, qui est la prémisse pour le processus d'accélération des radiations de pression (RPA). Une deuxième source peut être identifiée comme provenant du rayonnement laser qui est transformée en énergie cinétique d'une population d'électrons relativistes chaud (~ quelques MeV). Les électrons chauds se déplacent et font recirculer à travers la cible et forment un nuage d'électrons relativistes à la sortie de la cible dans le vide. Ce nuage, qui se prolonge pour plusieurs longueurs de Debye, crée un champ électrique extrêmement intense longitudinal, la plupart du temps dirigé le long de la surface normale, ce qui, par conséquent, est la cause de l'accélération d'ions efficace, qui conduit à l'accélération cible normale gaine (TNSA) processus . Le mécanisme TNSA permet d'utiliser des géométries différentes cibles afin de parvenir à une meilleure focalisation des faisceaux de particules de l'ordre de plusieurs dizaines de microns, avec des densités d'énergie élevées. Les électrons chauds sont produits par l'irradiation d'une feuille solide avec une impulsion laser intense; ces électrons sont transportés à travers la cible, la formation d'un champ électrostatique fort, normal à la surface cible. Protons et les ions chargés positivement de la surface arrière de la cible sont accélérés par ce domaine jusqu'à ce que la charge de l'électron est compensée. La densité d'électrons chauds et la température dans le vide arrière dépendent des propriétés géométriques et de composition cibles tels que la courbure de la cible, les structures de mise au point d'impulsion et de microstructure pour l'accélération de protons améliorée. Au cours de ma première année, j'ai étudié les effets de la géométrie de la cible sur le proton et l'ion énergie et la distribution angulaire afin d'optimiser les faisceaux de particules laser accéléré au moyen de deux dimensions (2D) particule-in-cell (PIC) simulations de l'interaction de l'ultra-court impulsions laser avec plusieurs cibles microstructurées. Également au cours de cette année, je l'ai étudié la théorie derrière les modèles utilisés. / With the latest increases in maximum laser intensity achievable through short pulses at high power (femtosecond range) an interest has arisen in potential laser plasma sources. Lasers are used in proton radiography, rapid ignition, hadrontherapy, production of radioisotopes and astrophysical laboratory. During the laser-target interaction, the ions are accelerated by different physical processes, depending on the area of ​​the target. All these mechanisms have one thing in common: the ions are accelerated by intense electric fields, which occur due to the separation of high charge induced by the interaction of the laser pulse with the target, directly or indirectly. Two main distinct sources for charge displacement can be identified. The first is the charge gradient caused by the direct action of the laser ponderomotive force on the electrons in the front surface of the target, which is the premise for the pressure ramping acceleration (RPA) process. A second source can be identified as coming from the laser radiation which is transformed into kinetic energy of a hot relativistic electron population (~ a few MeV). The hot electrons move and recirculate through the target and form a cloud of relativistic electrons at the exit of the target in a vacuum. This cloud, which extends for several lengths of Debye, creates an extremely intense longitudinal electric field, mostly directed along the normal surface, which is therefore the cause of effective ion acceleration, which leads to the normal target sheath acceleration (TNSA) process. The TNSA mechanism makes it possible to use different target geometries in order to obtain a better focusing of the beams of particles on the order of several tens of microns, with high energy densities. Hot electrons are produced by irradiating a solid sheet with an intense laser pulse; these electrons are transported through the target, forming a strong electrostatic field, normal to the target surface. Protons and positively charged ions from the back surface of the target are accelerated by this domain until the charge of the electron is compensated. The density of hot electrons and the temperature in the back vacuum depend on the target geometric and compositional properties such as target curvature, pulse and microstructure tuning structures for enhanced proton acceleration. In my first year I studied the effects of target geometry on the proton and energy ion and angular distribution in order to optimize the accelerated laser particle beams by means of two-dimensional (2D) particle -in-cell (PIC) simulations of the interaction of ultra-short laser pulses with several microstructured targets. Also during this year, I studied the theory behind the models used.

Legends That Sleep Kick Bogotá at Night is a short story collection that parodies the gender, moral, and social constructs of Colombian mythology and folklore. Set in contemporary times, the stories depict slews of grotesque transformations and rituals happening during plane flights, sibling tomfoolery, neck kisses, social network log-ins, trips to the family graveyard, conversations with escorts, and waves of town gossip. The folktale monsters aim to enlist the reader as their accomplice in their quest to fight against the forces that seek to permanently subdue and marginalize them. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Esse trabalho consistiu na determinação do Fator-S astrofísico da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be através do estudo da reação de transferência elástica 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be, obtido à partir das medidas da distribuição angular da reação de transferência 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foi utilizado para normalizar a seção de choque da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be, e conseqüentemente obter seu Fator-S. As medidas da distribuição angular da reação 9Be(8Li,9Be) foram realizadas no Nuclear Structure Laboratory, que fica localizado na University of Notre Dame no estado de Indiana nos Estados Unidos da América. Para essas medidas utilizamos um feixe primário de 7Li acelerado a uma energia de 30, 0MeV pelo FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator para produzir o feixe de 8Li. O feixe de 8Li foi produzido pelo sistema TWINSOL a uma energia de 27, 7MeV através da reação de troca de nêutron 9Be(7Li,8Li). O sistema de detecção utilizado consistia de detectores de silício montados na forma de telescópios E-E. As seções de choque das distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, e transferência, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foram obtidas entre os Ângulos 15o e 50o (no referencial de laboratório). O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be foi obtido à partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) utilizando o código FRESCO. O fator espectroscópico obtido para o estado ligado 8Li+p=9Begs foi SF9Begs=1,63(29), e o valor da profundidade do poço do potencial do estado contínuo 8Li+p obtido foi V 8Li+p 0 =40, 13±1, 63MeV. Com esses parâmetros calculamos o Fator-S para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs. Também calculamos o valor da taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs e obtivemos o valor de hi = 0, 583+0,1570,135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 para uma temperatura T9=1. / This work consisted on determinating the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Be using the elastic-transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be, obtained by the study of the angular distribution measurements for the transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, was used to normalize the capture reaction cross section 8Li(p,)9Be, and than to obtain the S-Factor. The angular distribution measurements for the reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be) was performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in the state of Indiana, United States of America. For the measurements we used a 7Li primary beam accelerated to an energy of 30.0MeV by the FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator to produce a 8Li. The 8Li beam was produced using the TWINSOL system at an energy of 27.7MeV using the neutron-transfer reaction 9Be(7Li,8Li). For the detection system we used silicon detectors assembled in E-E telescopes. The angular distributions of the cross sections for the elastic scattering reaction, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, and the transfer reaction, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, were measured from 15o to 50o (at laboratory referencial). The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be was obtained from DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) calculations using the FRESCO computer code. The spectroscopic factor obtained for the bound state 8Li+p=9Begs was SF9Begs=1.63(29), and the potential depth obtained for the continuum state 8Li+p was V 8Li+p 0 =40.13±1.63MeV. Using these two parameters we calculated the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs. We also calculated the reaction rate for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs and obtained its value as hi = 0.583+0.157 0.135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 for the T9=1 temperature.

Esse trabalho consistiu na determinação do Fator-S astrofísico da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be através do estudo da reação de transferência elástica 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be, obtido à partir das medidas da distribuição angular da reação de transferência 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foi utilizado para normalizar a seção de choque da reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Be, e conseqüentemente obter seu Fator-S. As medidas da distribuição angular da reação 9Be(8Li,9Be) foram realizadas no Nuclear Structure Laboratory, que fica localizado na University of Notre Dame no estado de Indiana nos Estados Unidos da América. Para essas medidas utilizamos um feixe primário de 7Li acelerado a uma energia de 30, 0MeV pelo FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator para produzir o feixe de 8Li. O feixe de 8Li foi produzido pelo sistema TWINSOL a uma energia de 27, 7MeV através da reação de troca de nêutron 9Be(7Li,8Li). O sistema de detecção utilizado consistia de detectores de silício montados na forma de telescópios E-E. As seções de choque das distribuições angulares de espalhamento elástico, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, e transferência, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, foram obtidas entre os Ângulos 15o e 50o (no referencial de laboratório). O fator espectroscópico do estado ligado 8Li+p=9Be foi obtido à partir de cálculos de DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) utilizando o código FRESCO. O fator espectroscópico obtido para o estado ligado 8Li+p=9Begs foi SF9Begs=1,63(29), e o valor da profundidade do poço do potencial do estado contínuo 8Li+p obtido foi V 8Li+p 0 =40, 13±1, 63MeV. Com esses parâmetros calculamos o Fator-S para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs. Também calculamos o valor da taxa de reação para a reação de captura 8Li(p,)9Begs e obtivemos o valor de hi = 0, 583+0,1570,135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 para uma temperatura T9=1. / This work consisted on determinating the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Be using the elastic-transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li. The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be, obtained by the study of the angular distribution measurements for the transfer reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, was used to normalize the capture reaction cross section 8Li(p,)9Be, and than to obtain the S-Factor. The angular distribution measurements for the reaction 9Be(8Li,9Be) was performed at the Nuclear Structure Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in the state of Indiana, United States of America. For the measurements we used a 7Li primary beam accelerated to an energy of 30.0MeV by the FN Tandem Van der Graaff Accelerator to produce a 8Li. The 8Li beam was produced using the TWINSOL system at an energy of 27.7MeV using the neutron-transfer reaction 9Be(7Li,8Li). For the detection system we used silicon detectors assembled in E-E telescopes. The angular distributions of the cross sections for the elastic scattering reaction, 9Be(8Li,8Li)9Be, and the transfer reaction, 9Be(8Li,9Be)8Li, were measured from 15o to 50o (at laboratory referencial). The spectroscopic factor for the bound state 8Li+p=9Be was obtained from DWBA (Distorted-Wave Born Approximation) calculations using the FRESCO computer code. The spectroscopic factor obtained for the bound state 8Li+p=9Begs was SF9Begs=1.63(29), and the potential depth obtained for the continuum state 8Li+p was V 8Li+p 0 =40.13±1.63MeV. Using these two parameters we calculated the astrophysical S-Factor for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs. We also calculated the reaction rate for the capture reaction 8Li(p,)9Begs and obtained its value as hi = 0.583+0.157 0.135 × 103 cm3mol1s1 for the T9=1 temperature.

Die Anwendung von Hochintensitätslasern zur Beschleunigung von Teilchen bietet eine Alternative zu klassischen Teilchenbeschleunigern und den von diesen erzeugten Strahlenqualitäten. Nach großen Fortschritten auf dem Gebiet der Laser-Teilchenbeschleunigung wurde die Anwendung der neuen Technologie in der klinischen Ionentherapie vorgeschlagen und diskutiert. Bevor es dazu kommen kann, muss aber neben der Verbesserung der Strahleigenschaften, wie z. B. der Erhöhung der Energie, und der Stabilität der Teilchenbeschleunigung auch eine geeignete physikalische und dosimetrische Charakterisierung entwickelt und die biologische Wirksamkeit dieser neuartigen, ultrakurz gepulsten Strahlenqualität mit extrem hoher Pulsdosisleistung untersucht werden. Dies erfordert eine ganze Reihe von umfangreichen Experimenten der notwendigen Translationskette, angefangen von in vitro Zellbestrahlungen über in vivo Studien bis hin zu präklinischen Untersuchungen und ersten klinischen Studien. Hierzu wurden das Verbundprojekt onCOOPtics gegründet und in einem ersten Schritt in vitro Zellbestrahlungen zur Untersuchung der biologischen Wirksamkeit laserbeschleunigter Teilchen durchgeführt. Dazu wurden Dosis-Effekt-Kurven für humane Tumor- und Normalgewebs-Zelllinien jeweils für mehrere biologische Endpunkte bestimmt. Begonnen wurde dabei mit der umfangreichen Untersuchung laserbeschleunigter Elektronen am JeTi-Lasersystem in Jena, auf welche zum Zeitpunkt der Verfügbarkeit des DRACO-Lasersystems in Dresden die dosimetrische und strahlenbiologische Charakterisierung laserbeschleunigter Protonen an diesem Lasersystem folgte. Dabei stellte die Entwicklung einer präzisen Dosimetrie zur Bestimmung der applizierten Dosis aufgrund der Strahleigenschaften laserbeschleunigter Teilchen eine große Herausforderung dar. Sie ist aber sowohl im Hinblick auf eine spätere klinische Anwendung als auch für die Durchführung quantitativer strahlenbiologischer Experimente obligatorisch. Diese Arbeit, die im Rahmen des Verbundprojektes entstanden ist, leistet dazu in vielfacher Hinsicht einen wesentlichen Beitrag: Erstens wurden geeignete Detektoren zur präzisen dosimetrischen Charakterisierung laserbeschleunigter Elektronen und Protonen entwickelt, optimiert und charakterisiert sowie präzise kalibriert. So wurden umfangreiche Studien zu verschiedenen Eigenschaften der auch in der klinischen Dosimetrie angewandten radiochromischen Filme durchgeführt und die Filme entsprechend kalibriert. Dabei wurden neue Erkenntnisse u. a. über deren Energieabhängigkeit gewonnen, die für zahlreiche Anwendungen der Filme von Bedeutung sind. Weiterhin wurden verschiedene Ionisationskammern zur Echtzeit-Strahlmonitorierung von laserbeschleunigten Elektronen und Protonen ausgewählt und dosimetrisch charakterisiert. Zudem wurde der Einsatz von CR-39 Festkörperspurdetektoren zur spektroskopischen Untersuchung laserbeschleunigter Protonen etabliert, indem die Nachverarbeitung und Auslesung der Detektoren charakterisiert und optimiert wurden und außerdem eine retrospektive Filterprozedur der detektierten Krater entwickelt und angewendet wurde. Ferner wurde ein Faraday Cup, der auf die speziellen Eigenschaften derzeitiger laserbeschleunigter Protonen-Strahlenqualitäten abgestimmt ist, entwickelt, charakterisiert und mit drei voneinander unabhängigen Methoden kalibriert. Die radiochromischen Filme und der Faraday Cup konnten daraufhin als Referenzdosimeter sowohl an den konventionellen als auch an den neuartigen Laser-Teilchenbeschleunigern erfolgreich eingesetzt werden. Zweitens bildete die durchgeführte Echtzeit- und Referenzdosimetrie laserbeschleunigter Elektronen die Grundlage für die weltweit ersten systematischen Zellbestrahlungsexperimente dieser Strahlenqualität. Dabei konnten trotz großer Pulsdosisschwankungen alle Anforderungen bezüglich Dosishomogenität, Strahlstabilität, präziser Deposition einer vorgegebenen Dosis und Unsicherheit der bestimmten applizierten Dosis, die für eine quantitative Auswertung der radiobiologischen Daten notwendig sind, erfüllt werden. Exemplarisch sei die bestimmte Gesamt-Dosisunsicherheit von unter 10% genannt. Drittens wurden auch laserbeschleunigte Protonen so präzise dosimetrisch monitoriert und charakterisiert, dass auch mit dieser Strahlenqualität quantitative strahlenbiologische Untersuchungen durchgeführt werden konnten. Herausgefordert durch die kurze Reichweite der Protonen im Submillimeterbereich und das breite Energiespektrum dieser Strahlenqualität, gelang dies neben der Charakterisierung und Kalibrierung der einzelnen Detektoren durch die Konzeption und Realisierung eines integrierten Dosimetrie- und Zellbestrahlungssystems (IDOCIS).Weltweit erstmalig wurde eine Echtzeit-Strahlmonitorierung während der Zellbestrahlungen mit laserbeschleunigten Protonen durchgeführt, die sowohl zur kontrollierten Applikation einer vorgegebenen Dosis und zur Strahlüberwachung als auch zusammen mit der durchgeführten Referenzdosimetrie zur hochpräzisen Bestimmung der absolut in den Zellen deponierten Dosis diente. Außerdem trug die parallele und redundante Verwendung zweier voneinander unabhängiger Referenzdosimetrie-Systeme erheblich zur Erreichung einer hohen Zuverlässigkeit und Sicherheit bei. Die Unsicherheit in der bestimmten deponierten Dosis betrug entsprechend für den Endpunkt der residualen DNS-Doppelstrangbrüche 24h nach Bestrahlung, für den eine vollständige Dosis-Effekt-Kurve ermittelt wurde, nur ca. 10%. Die Unsicherheit liegt damit schon fast in dem Bereich, der an klinisch angewandten Beschleunigern zulässig ist (3-5%). Dagegen konnte zu Beginn dieser Arbeit die Dosis laserbeschleunigter Protonen nur mit einer Ungenauigkeit von mehr als 50% abgeschätzt werden. Viertens wurden die zur Bestimmung der relativen biologischen Wirksamkeit notwendigen Vergleichsbestrahlungen mit konventionellen Elektronen- und Protonenstrahlenquellen und die zur Vergleichbarkeit der konventionellen und laserbeschleunigten Strahlenqualitäten erforderlichen Referenzbestrahlungen mit 200kVp Röntgenröhren im Rahmen dieser Arbeit ebenfalls dosimetrisch optimiert und genau charakterisiert. Die dosimetrischen Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit waren eine notwendige Voraussetzung für die im Rahmen anderer Arbeiten vollzogene strahlenbiologische Auswertung der durchgeführten Zellbestrahlungen. Dabei wurde insgesamt kein signifikanter Unterschied in der strahlenbiologischen Wirksamkeit zwischen laserbeschleunigten, ultrakurz gepulsten und konventionellen, kontinuierlichen Strahlenqualitäten weder für Elektronen noch für Protonen festgestellt. Durch die Konsistenz dieser Ergebnisse für beide Teilchenarten und unterschiedliche biologische Endpunkte ist damit die nächste Stufe auf dem translationalen Weg hin zur klinischen Anwendung laserbeschleunigter Teilchen begehbar: Die Durchführung von in vivo Untersuchungen. Dabei muss zwar von einer zweidimensionalen (Zell-Monolayer) auf eine dreidimensionale Zielvolumenbestrahlung (Tumor) übergegangen werden, wobei aber die im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit entwickelten Dosimetrieverfahren und Detektoren auch bei den Tierbestrahlungen angewendet und eingesetzt werden können. / The application of high-intensity lasers for particle acceleration provides an alternative to conventional particle accelerators and also alternative beam qualities. Soon after the recent progress in the field of laser particle acceleration, its application in clinical ion therapy was proposed and discussed widely. Besides the improvement of the beam properties (increasing of beam energy and stability of particle acceleration process, e. g.) a capable physical and dosimetric characterization has to be developed before the technology can be applied in cancer therapy. The same is true for investigation of the biological effectiveness of this new, ultra-short pulsed beam quality with extremely high pulse dose rate. Hence, the whole translational chain, beginning from in vitro cell irradiation over in vivo studies to the point of preclinical investigations and first clinical trials, is necessary. For this reason, in a first step the joint research project onCOOPtics was founded and in vitro cell irradiation experiments were performed to study the biological effectiveness of laser accelerated particles. Therefore, dose-effect-curves for tumor and normal tissue cell lines were determined for different biological endpoints. Starting with extensive experiments with laser accelerated electrons at the JeTi laser system in Jena, the investigations were continued with dosimetric and radiobiological characterization of laser accelerated protons at the DRACO laser system in Dresden shortly after the DRACO laser started its operation. In this process, the development of a precise dosimetry for determination of the applied dose posed a great challenge due to the beam properties of laser accelerated particles. However, this is a crucial and compulsive requirement for both, the future clinical application and also for the realization of quantitative radiobiological experiments. Compiled in the onCOOPtics framework, this paper contributed to this task in multiple key aspects: Firstly, capable detectors for precise dosimetric characterization of laser accelerated electrons and protons were developed, optimized and characterized as well as precisely calibrated. Thus, comprehensive investigations were performed studying different properties of radiochromic films which are also applied in clinical dosimetry. In addition, these films were precisely calibrated for different beam qualities. Thereby, new findings of the energy dependence of radiochromic films were obtained which are of importance for numerous applications of these films. Moreover, different ionization chambers for real-time beam monitoring of laser accelerated electrons and protons were selected and characterized. Furthermore, the application of CR-39 solid state track detectors was established for spectroscopic investigations of laser accelerated protons by characterizing and optimizing the postirradiation processing and the readout of the detectors. Also a retrospective filter procedure of the detected tracks was developed and applied. Moreover, a Faraday Cup adjusted to the special properties of current laser accelerated proton beam qualities was developed, characterized and precisely calibrated by means of three independent calibration methods. Finally, the radiochromic films and the Faraday Cup could be used as reference dosimeters both for conventional accelerators and also for novel laser particle accelerators. Secondly, the performed real-time and reference dosimetry of laser accelerated electrons was the prerequisite of the first systematic cell irradiation experiments with this beam quality worldwide. Despite high pulse dose fluctuations, all requirements were satisfied concerning dose homogeneity, beam stability, precise deposition of a prescribed dose and uncertainty of the applied dose, that are all necessary for a quantitative evaluation of the radiobiological data. Exemplary, a total dose uncertainty below 10% was reached. Thirdly, laser accelerated protons were precisely monitored and characterized allowing quantitative, well-founded radiobiological investigations with this beam quality. This task was very much challenged by the short range of the protons in the sub-millimeter range and the broad energy spectrum of the beam quality. It was succeeded not only due to the comprehensive characterization and precise calibration of the different detectors but also due to the conception and realization of an integrated dosimetry and cell irradiation system (IDOCIS). For the first time, a real-time beam monitoring during cell irradiation with laser accelerated protons was performed. This real-time monitoring was not only used for controlled application of the prescribed dose and beam monitoring and also – together with the performed reference dosimetry – for precise determination of the deposited dose at cell location. In addition, high reliability and safety was considerably ensured by using two independent reference dosimetry systems in parallel. Hence, the determined uncertainty of the deposited dose was only about 10% for the biological endpoint of the residual DNA double strand breaks 24h after irradiation. For this endpoint a complete dose-effect-curve was obtained. Therefore, the achieved uncertainty is almost as small as necessary at clinically applied accelerators (3

<p dir="ltr">Understanding the acceleration of particles responsible for high-energy non-thermal phenomena in astrophysical jets is a ubiquitous pursuit. A possible culprit for non-thermal particle acceleration is turbulence. Specifically in this thesis, I investigate highly magne- tized or relativistic turbulence, where the magnetic energy to enthalpy ratio of the plasma is much greater than one, as a possible high-energy accelerator inside relativistic jets. I do this through three distinct projects. </p><p dir="ltr">My first project [1] (discussed in Section 3) was built upon a recent study of relativistic turbulence from [2], which found that a non-thermal particle equilibrium can be achieved when a plasma is heated via turbulence but allowed to cool radiatively. I extrapolated these results from PIC (Particle-in-Cell) simulations to larger scales and magnetizations, allowing me to encode key microphysical results of PIC simulations into a Fokker-Planck formalism. Combining these results with a single zone model for a blazar jet, I successfully define the underlying particle distribution with the global parameters of the emission region. To test this model, I fit data from 12 sources and successfully constrain key blazar parameters such as magnetization, bulk Lorentz factor, emission region size, and distance from the central engine. </p><p dir="ltr">My second project covers the development and testing of the open-source toolkit Tleco. This code base was used to evolve the Fokker-Planck equation and solve the resultant emission in my first project. Tleco offers efficient algorithms for evolving particle distributions and solving the resultant emission. It is meant to be user-friendly and easily customizable. </p><p dir="ltr">My third project attempts to enhance our understanding of coherent structures in relativistic turbulence. I employ intermittency analysis to establish a link between statistical fluctuations within the plasma and regions of high-energy dissipation. To achieve this, we used first-principle turbulent PIC simulations across a range of magnetizations and fluctuating magnetic field values. By utilizing the statistical fluctuations to determine the fractal dimension of the structures, I then examine their filling fraction and its dependence on magnetization and the fluctuating magnetic field.</p>

After nearly 100 years of particle acceleration, particle accelerator experiments continue providing results within the field of high energy physics. Particle acceleration is used worldwide in practical applications such as radiation therapy and materials science research. Unfortunately, these accelerators are large and expensive. Dielectric Laser Acceleration (DLA) is a promising technique for accelerating particles with high acceleration gradients, without requiring large-scale accelerators. DLA utilizes the electric field of a high energy laser to accelerate electrons in the proximity of a nanostructured dielectric surface.The aim of this project was limited to laser beam routing and imaging techniques for a DLA experiment. The goal was to design the laser beam pathway between the laser and the dielectric sample, and testing a proposed imaging system for aiming the laser. This goal was achieved in a test setup using a low-energy laser. In the main setup including a femtosecond laser, the result indicated lack of focus. For a full experimental setup, a correction of this focus is essential and the beam path would need to be combined with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) as an electron source.

Nesta tese é analisada a dinâmica de uma partícula relativística se movendo sob a influência de um campo magnético uniforme e uma onda eletrostática e estacionária dada na forma de pulsos periódicos. O mapa que descreve a evolução temporal do sistema é explícito e pode ser considerado como uma versão relativística e magnetizada do mapa padrão clássico. A posição aproximada dos pontos periódicos é calculada analiticamente e com essa informação é possível estudar as ressonâncias primárias. Para o sistema em estudo, observa-se que a maior parte das ressonâncias possui mais de uma cadeia de ilhas. Isso ocorre pois o sistema apresenta um número infinito de termos ressonantes com o mesmo número de rotação e que podem gerar ilhas na mesma posição do espaço de fases. Verifica-se que essa superposição de termos ressonantes faz com que o número de cadeias varie em função dos parâmetros da onda. Para valores de período ou número de onda suficientemente elevados, todas as ressonâncias primárias apresentam duas ou mais cadeias de ilhas no espaço de fases. As ilhas de ressonância primária são utilizadas nesta tese para acelerar partículas de forma regular. Em particular, considera-se a ressonância principal do sistema, para a qual a energia inicial da partícula pode estar muito próxima de sua energia de repouso se os parâmetros da onda forem adequados. Além disso, aplica-se um método de controle do caos para Hamiltonianas quase integráveis que consiste na adição de um termo de controle simples e com baixa amplitude ao sistema. Esse termo de controle cria toros invariantes em todo o espaço de fases que confinam as trajetórias caóticas em pequenas regiões, tornando a dinâmica controlada mais regular. Verifica-se numericamente que o termo de controle reduz drasticamente as regiões caóticas. Além disso, observa-se que o controle do caos e a consequente recuperação de trajetórias periódicas e quase periódicas no espaço de fases podem ser utilizados para melhorar o processo de aceleração regular de partículas. / In this thesis, we analyze the dynamics of a relativistic particle moving under the influence of a uniform magnetic field and a stationary electrostatic wave given as a series of periodic pulses. The map that describes the time evolution of the system is explicit, and it can be considered as a magnetized relativistic version of the classical standard map. We calculate analytically the approximate position of the periodic points and we use this information to study the primary resonances. For the system under study, we observe that most of its resonances exhibit more than one island chain. It occurs because the system presents an infinite number of resonant terms with the same winding number that may generate islands in the same position of phase space. We verify that this superposition of resonant terms makes the number of chains vary as a function of the parameters of the wave. For sufficiently large values of the wave period or wave number, all the primary resonances present two or more island chains in phase space. We use the islands of primary resonances in this thesis to regularly accelerate particles. In particular, we consider the main resonance of the system, for which the initial energy of the particle can be very close to its rest energy if the parameters of the wave are adequate. Furthermore, we apply a method of control of chaos for near-integrable Hamiltonians that consists in the addition of a simple control term with low amplitude to the system. This control term creates invariant tori in the whole phase space that confine the chaotic trajectories to small regions, making the controlled dynamics more regular. We verify numerically that the control term drastically reduces the chaotic regions. Moreover, we observe that the control of chaos and the consequent recovery of periodic and quasiperiodic trajectories in phase space can be used to improve the process of regular particle acceleration.

<p>Magnetic reconnection is a universal process occurring at boundaries between magnetized plasmas, where changes in the topology of the magnetic field lead to the transport of charged particles across the boundaries and to the conversion of electromagnetic energy into kinetic and thermal energy of the particles. Reconnection occurs in laboratory plasmas, in solar system plasmas and it is considered to play a key role in many other space environments such as magnetized stars and accretion disks around stars and planets under formation. Magnetic reconnection is a multi-scale plasma process where the small spatial and temporal scales are strongly coupled to the large scales. Reconnection is initiated rapidly in small regions by microphysical processes but it affects very large volumes of space for long times. The best laboratory to experimentally study magnetic reconnection at different scales is the near-Earth space, the so-called Geospace, where Cluster spacecraft <i>in situ</i> measurements are available. The European Space Agency Cluster mission is composed of four-spacecraft flying in a formation and this allows, for the first time, simultaneous four-point measurements at different scales, thanks to the changeable spacecraft separation. In this thesis Cluster observations of magnetic reconnection in Geospace are presented both at large and at small scales. </p><p>At large temporal (a few hours) and spatial (several thousands km) scales, both fluid and kinetic evidence of reconnection is provided. The evidence consist of ions accelerated and transmitted across the Earth’s magnetopause. The observations show that component reconnection occurs at the magnetopause and that reconnection is continuous in time. </p><p>The microphysics of reconnection is investigated at smaller temporal (a few ion gyroperiods) and spatial (a few ion gyroradii) scales. Two regions are important for the microphysics: the X-region, around the X-line, where reconnection is initiated and the separatrix region, away from the X-line, where most of the energy conversion occurs. Observations of a separatrix region at the magnetopause are shown and the microphysics is described in detail. The separatrix region is shown to be highly structured and dynamic even away from the X-line.</p><p>Finally the discovery of magnetic reconnection in turbulent plasma is presented by showing, for the first time, <i>in situ</i> evidence of reconnection in a thin current sheet found in the turbulent plasma downstream of the quasi-parallel Earth’s bow shock. It is shown that turbulent reconnection is fast and that electromagnetic energy is converted into heating and acceleration of particles in turbulent plasma. It is also shown that reconnecting current sheets are abundant in turbulent plasma and that reconnection can be an efficient energy dissipation mechanism.</p>