Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating high-energy beams of electrons or x-rays through laser wakefield acceleration to remotely examine containers is disclosed. By scanning the beam of electrons or x-rays across a container, an inspector can remotely determine whether the containers contain items of interest, such as special nuclear materials, without having to manually inspect the contents of the container. The invention can be compact enough to be portable, which provides for the flexibility to examine a variety of different containers under a variety of different conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating high-energy beams of electrons or x-rays through laser wakefield acceleration to remotely examine containers is disclosed. By scanning the beam of electrons or x-rays across a container, an inspector can remotely determine whether the containers contain items of interest, such as special nuclear materials, without having to manually inspect the contents of the container. The invention can be compact enough to be portable, which provides for the flexibility to examine a variety of different containers under a variety of different conditions.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating high-energy particles and for inducing nuclear reactions. The system includes a laser and for emitting a laser beam, an irradiation target for receiving the laser beam and producing high-energy particles, and a secondary target for receiving the high-energy particles, thereby inducing a nuclear reaction. A method is also provided including producing a laser beam of high-intensity with an ultra-short pulse duration, irradiating the laser beam onto an irradiation target in order to ionize the irradiation target and produce a collimated beam of high-energy particles, and colliding the collimated beam of high-energy particles onto a secondary target containing a nuclei, thereby inducing a nuclear reaction on the secondary target.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating high-energy particles and for inducing nuclear reactions. The system includes a laser and for emitting a laser beam, an irradiation target for receiving the laser beam and producing high-energy particles, and a secondary target for receiving the high-energy particles, thereby inducing a nuclear reaction. A method is also provided including producing a laser beam of high-intensity with an ultra-short pulse duration, irradiating the laser beam onto an irradiation target in order to ionize the irradiation target and produce a collimated beam of high-energy particles, and colliding the collimated beam of high-energy particles onto a secondary target containing a nuclei, thereby inducing a nuclear reaction on the secondary target.