Laser Ion Acceleration
Laser-driven ION (LION) sources provide unique features such as a microscopic source size and ultrashort bunch duration, paired with large particle numbers and broad energy distributions. Their intrinsic synchronization to photon pulses and particle bunches offer opportunities that complement traditional particle acceleration techniques, for investigating fast dynamics on microscopic scales. LION bunches facilitate new approaches to imaging as well as ground breaking radiochemical, radiobiological and biomedical studies. Developing LION sources from their single shot proof-of-principle status towards an Integrated Laser-Driven Ion Accelerator System (ILDIAS) is one of the major goals of our activities at the Centre for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA).