J. Schreiber

Laser-driven ion accelerators: Spectral control, monoenergetic ions and new acceleration mechanisms

LosAlamos National Laboratory short pulse experiments have shown using various target cleaning techniques such that heavy ion beams of different charge states can be produced. Furthermore, by controlling the thickness of light ions on the rear of the target, monoenergetic ion pulses can be generated. The spectral shape of the accelerated particles can be controlled to yield a range of distributions, from Maxwellian to ones possessing a monoenergetic peak at high energy. The key lies in understanding and utilizing target surface chemistry. Careful monitoring and control of the surface properties and induction of reactions at different temperatures allows well defined source layers to be formed, which in turn lead to the desired energy spectra in the acceleration process. Theoretical considerations provide understanding of the process of monoenergetic ion production. In addition, numerical modeling has identified a new acceleration mechanism, the laser break-out afterburner that could potentially boost particle energies by up to two orders of magnitude for the same laser parameters. This mechanism may enable application of laser-accelerated ion beams to venues such as compact accelerators, tumor therapy, and ion fast ignition.

MiR-133b Targets Antiapoptotic Genes and Enhances Death Receptor-Induced Apoptosis

Despite the importance of microRNAs (miRs) for regulation of the delicate balance between cell proliferation and death, evidence for their specific involvement during death receptor (DR)-mediated apoptosis is scarce. Transfection with miR-133b rendered resistant HeLa cells sensitive to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)-induced cell death. Similarly, miR-133b caused exacerbated proapoptotic responses to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or an activating antibody to Fas/CD95. Comprehensive analysis, encompassing global RNA or protein expression profiling performed by microarray experiments and pulsed stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (pSILAC), led to the discovery of the antiapoptotic protein Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM) as immediate miR-133b target. Moreover, miR-133b impaired the expression of the detoxifying protein glutathione-S-transferase pi (GSTP1). Expression of miR-133b in tumor specimens of prostate cancer patients was significantly downregulated in 75% of the cases, when compared with matched healthy tissue. Furthermore, introduction of synthetic miR-133b into an ex-vivo model of prostate cancer resulted in impaired proliferation and cellular metabolic activity. PC3 cells were also sensitized to apoptotic stimuli after transfection with miR-133b similar to HeLa cells. These data reveal the ability of a single miR to influence major apoptosis pathways, suggesting an essential role for this molecule during cellular transformation, tumorigenesis and tissue homeostasis.

A laser-driven nanosecond proton source for radiobiological studies

Ion beams are relevant for radiobiological studies and for tumor therapy. In contrast to conventional accelerators, laser-driven ion acceleration offers a potentially more compact and cost-effective means of delivering ions for radiotherapy. Here, we show that by combining advanced acceleration using nanometer thin targets and beam transport, truly nanosecond quasi-monoenergetic proton bunches can be generated with a table-top laser system, delivering single shot doses up to 7u2009Gy to living cells. Although in their infancy, laser-ion accelerators allow studying fast radiobiological processes as demonstrated here by measurements of the relative biological effectiveness of nanosecond proton bunches in human tumor cells.

Fission‐Fusion: A new reaction mechanism for nuclear astrophysics based on laser‐ion acceleration

We propose to produce neutron‐rich nuclei in the range of the astrophysical r‐process around the waiting point Nu2009=u2009126 by fissioning a dense laser‐accelerated thorium ion bunch in a thorium target (covered by a CH2 layer), where the light fission fragments of the beam fuse with the light fission fragments of the target. Via the ‘hole‐boring’ mode of laser Radiation Pressure Acceleration using a high‐intensity, short pulse laser, very efficiently bunches of 232Th with solid‐state density can be generated from a Th target and a deuterated CD2 foil, both forming the production target assembly. Laser‐accelerated Th ions with about 7 MeV/u will pass through a thin CH2 layer placed in front of a thicker second Th foil (both forming the reaction target) closely behind the production target and disintegrate into light and heavy fission fragments. In addition, light ions (d,C) from the CD2 layer of the production target will be accelerated as well, inducing the fission process of 232Th also in the second Th layer....

Laser - ion acceleration in the laser transparency regime

Experiments on lasExperiments on laser-induced ion acceleration from ultra-thin (nm) foil targets reveal a dramatic increase in the conversion efficiency and the acceleration of C6+ ions in a phase stable way by the laser radiation pressure.er-induced ion acceleration from ultra-thin (nm) foil targets reveal a dramatic increase in the conversion efficiency and the acceleration of C6+ ions in a phase stable way by the laser radiation pressure.