Leslie Zhang Qualifying Exam

Abstract: Laser wakefield accelerators (LWFA) harness ultrashort, high-power laser pulses to drive plasma waves, accelerating charged particles. LWFA has great potential to revolutionize medical imaging through electron-generated secondary radiation, such as bremsstrahlung and betatron X-rays, and acoustic signals induced by rapid energy deposition in target tissues. Compared to conventional X-ray and CT methods, the ultrashort bunches and X-ray pulses from LWFAs minimize tissue heating, enhance imaging accuracy, and generate strong acoustic impulses, enabling faster imaging and reduced exposure to harmful radiation. Future work will optimize LWFA parameters to achieve precise, lower-dose energy delivery and integrate simulations with experimental validation to refine X-ray and acoustic imaging modalities, thus addressing critical demands in medical diagnostics for tumors.