Electron Radiography Based on Electron Beams from Self-Modulated Laser Wakefield Acceleration

We report on first experiments demonstrating electron radiography using the electron beam produced by self-modulated laser wakefield acceleration (SMLWFA) driven by the OMEGA EP laser. SMLWFA driven by picosecond-scale, kilojoule-class lasers enables electron beams that could be coupled to experiments driven by large-scale, high-energy drivers. The SMLWFA platform on OMEGA EP has demonstrated electron beams with electron energies exceeding 200 MeV, divergences as low as 32 mrad, charge exceeding 700 nC, and laser-to-electron conversion efficiencies up to 11%. These electron beams have been used to probe mid- to high-Z radiography test objects. Different styles of electron beams were produced to determine which are most conducive to electron radiography measurements. Preliminary findings suggest resolutions of 75 to 125 mm, depending on material depth.