The experimental setups proposed follow a gradual approach from the point of view of complexity, from the "Day 1" experiments
(employing in the first stage only one 1 PW laser beam) to experiments for which the prerequisites include results from the previously performed ones.
The following research topics have been proposed in the LGED TDR:
PPEx – The production and photoexcitation of isomers, relevant for stellar conditions;
RR – study of Radiation Reaction to validate nonlinear/non-perturbative QED treatments;
Pair – Pair creation in QED regime;
Pol – Polarization properties of emission in strong fields;
VBir – study of the vacuum birefringence via the depolarization of linearly polarized gamma-rays;
DM – search for weakly coupling sub-eV Dark Matter;
GG – Gamma-gamma collider to verify the QED-based elastic gamma-gamma scattering;
We have a series of research and development activities synergetic with our main researhc topics,
for the accomplishment of the prerequisites for successful experiments (e.g., stability and
repeatability, signal to noise ratio, detections) and further improvements
(such as the gradual improvement of the vacuum level, beneficial for the high-sensitivity
experiments):
Development of a detection system, Gamma-Polari-Calorimeter (GPC), commonly applicable to energy measurements for electrons, positrons and gamma-rays above the 0.1 GeV energy scale;
Preparatory tests for laser plasma acceleration of electrons up to necessary energies 210 MeV, 2.5 GeV and 5 GeV for the later stage experiments, respectively;
Tests of the behaviour of optical elements under mechanical and thermal stress generated by the bake-out procedures for ultra-high vacuum;
Outgassing tests (mass spectrum measurements) for components of the optical setups to be placed in ultra-high vacuum;
New methods for metabolomics;
Development of NMR methods (pulse sequences) to preserve the lifetime of stable-isotope spin polarisation (long-lived states and coherences) for imaging and biomolecular studies (Patent application submitted in 2019).
In order to best use the existing skills and ease the development of new competencies needed in the implementation and towards the oprational phase of the facility,
the activity in out department takes place in five workgroups:
WG1 Physics – Theoretical foundation of the RA5 experimental aims;
WG2 Laser Physics / Optics – Theory, application and engineering of complex optical systems;
WG3 Simulations – Numerical simulations for optical laser systems and laser-matter interaction;
WG4 Mechanics and vacuum R&D - Development of state-of-the-art, mechanical and ultra-high vacuum systems;
WG5 Detectors, DAQ & Control Systems – development of detector setups, data acquisition systems, control systems for the experiments;
WG6 Biophysics - Radiobiology studies using high dose-rate radiation sources.
Want to join or team? ELI-NP RA5 has open positions! Please check the Jobs section for available positions and information on how to apply.
International collaborations have been one of the main ingredients in the successful development of the ELI-NP scientific case, scientists from
four continents proposing novel ideas that can be tested with the unique research capabilities of ELI-NP. At RA5, wa are constantly eager to
expand our collaborations, and we are currently collaborating for the implementation of the commissioning experiments with:
Hiroshima University, Japan – Prof. K. Homma, Leader of the LGED TDR;
Institute for Chemical Research, University of Kyoto, Japan – the group led by Prof. S. Sakabe, collaboration on RA5-DM experiment topics;
KEK, Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, Japan – collaboration regarding pixelated SoI detectors with the group led by Dr. Y. Arai;
Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) – collaboration with the group led by Prof. M. Kando on topics of laser acceleration of electrons;
Konan University – Prof. H. Utsunomiya, collaboration on LGED-PPEx topics.
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