Generating x-rays imaging

Our customer the Centre for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA) located in Garching has big ambitions. One among them is the development of novel biomedical imaging technologies based on high-energy X-rays. To proceed to these experiments the customer has developed the ATLAS 3000 laser system including high efficiency Titanium Sapphire amplifiers that Thales has provided. The ATLAS 3000 will be used to drive ion beams and electron beams for highly brilliant X-ray beams for medical and scientific applications.

X-rays generated by a laser

Generating X-rays through the action of a laser is a breakthrough in terms of technology in comparison to the current use of conventional accelerators in imaging applications. Ongoing experiments have raised hope with regards to the use of high energy in this field and work from the CALA has revealed “a new protocol for the use of laser-based sources of X-rays that is much better suited to clinical use”. Laser based imaging application for medical purposes would be a cost effective solution and help generate better outcomes.

Thales’s amplifier successfully accepted by the customer

Thales has partnered with the centre to help the organization achieve its goal and has provided the ATLAS 3000 amplifiers which consists in two large area Titanium Sapphire crystals and 14 Gaia HP pump lasers. The Thales technology is decisive when it comes to amplify the laser energy up to 92,5J and has been accepted by the customer in Garching in April. Thales has broken the worldwide record of the highest average power PetaWatt amplifier in designing this subsystem of the ATLAS 3000 laser that delivers 3PW at 1 Hz. As the pump lasers had to be stacked one among another, Thales’s architects had to master greater complexity in the engineering, the beam transportation and the logistics.

If you want to find out more about the CALA, please check out their website or contact us.