Abstract
High-intensity laser pulses used during laser-matter interaction generate intense bursts of X-rays together with energetic charged particles, whose detection is crucial during laser ion acceleration or laser-driven fusion experiments. Accurate time-of-flight (ToF) diagnostics in this environment require fast and radiation-tolerant detectors capable of operating under strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) conditions. In this work, we investigate p-type and n-type Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) as diagnostic tools in a proton-boron (p-B) fusion oriented, laser-driven experiment conducted at ELI-Beamlines facility using L4n laser system. For the first time, LGADs are employed in a laser fusion environment to measure time-of-flight signals, exhibiting a response consistent with an alpha-particle contribution across a wide spectrum of particle energies and emission angles. The detectors successfully resolved prompt X-ray signals and subsequent charged-particle arrivals, enabling reconstruction of an energy spectrum compatible with that of alpha particles. Post-experimental electrical characterization confirms preserved gain, and any radiation-induced damage is below the detectable level. These results not only demonstrate the feasibility of LGAD technology as a fast timing diagnostic for aneutronic fusion studies, but laser-plasma research in general.
