Scientific activities at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory

Venue: Polo Scientifico Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari - Via Sommarive, 5 - Room A205

At: 16.30

• Dott.ssa Chiara La Tessa - Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton NY, USA

Abstract

The NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY, US) is a synchrotron-fed ion-radiation facility, which has been operating since 2003. It was originally designed to reproduce the space radiation environment with biology-type work in mind. However, over the years, the number of users has increased and now it includes not only NASA-funded research but also private companies and other fields of study, such as cancer therapy with ions.
NSRL can deliver a uniform beam whose size ranges from below 1 cm in diameter to 60x60 cm2, using any ion from protons to Au and beyond with a maximum energy of 2.5 GeV protons and 1.5 GeV/u Fe. Dose-based cutoff coupled with absolute calibration and real time beam shape and intensity monitoring, bolstered by the latest upgrades (Solar Particle Event (SPE) and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) simulators, fast ion switching from a laser source and rapid energy change) make this facility uniquely suitable also for physics, biology and engineering applications outside of NASA interest.
Furthermore, the door has been recently cracked open for some activities beyond providing service to others.
In this seminar, an overview of the NSRL facility will be presented. The discussion will focus on all research activities carried out, exploring the connection between nuclear fragmentation, traveling to Mars, and cancer treatment with ion radiation.