Magnetic lens-based particle radiography is a powerful diagnostics technique capable of resolving ultra-fast processes on the ns scale in dense matter with unprecedented micrometer spatial resolution. In addition to those optical benefits, it is furthermore capable of resolving the dynamic areal density distribution of the target or process investigated with sub-percent accuracy making it an ideal diagnostic for HED physics applications or material science.

The PRIOR-II facility (Proton Radiography for FAIR) at GSI was commissioned in 2021 with 2-4.5GeV proton beams delivering a remarkable 20µm spatial and sub-1% density resolution performance. Since then, it has served as an ion-optical diagnostic for various static and semi-dynamic physics and material science experiments. Furthermore, to increase the available density contrast for future dynamic experiments, the feasibility of imaging using heavier ions (up to 975MeV/u 12C⁶⁺ and up to 1.5GeV/u 14N⁷⁺) was successfully demonstrated during the 2023 engineering run resulting in the world’s first heavy-ion FLASH radiography.

Starting in 2025, a series of shock wave experiments with HE drivers covering the fields of functional material analysis for magnetic confinement fusion reactors as well as novel methods for material synthesis is scheduled. In preparation for those experiments, preliminary measurements for the assessment of the SIS-18 4H4 extraction stability have been performed and the upgrade and conversion of the existing HHT experimental area at GSI for HE experiments has already started.
Magnetic lens-based particle radiography is a powerful diagnostics technique capable of resolving ultra-fast processes on the ns scale in dense matter with unprecedented micrometer spatial resolution. In addition to those optical benefits, it is furthermore capable of resolving the dynamic areal density distribution of the target or process investigated with sub-percent accuracy making it an ideal diagnostic for HED physics applications or material science.

The PRIOR-II facility (Proton Radiography for FAIR) at GSI was commissioned in 2021 with 2-4.5GeV proton beams delivering a remarkable 20µm spatial and sub-1% density resolution performance. Since then, it has served as an ion-optical diagnostic for various static and semi-dynamic physics and material science experiments. Furthermore, to increase the available density contrast for future dynamic experiments, the feasibility of imaging using heavier ions (up to 975MeV/u 12C⁶⁺ and up to 1.5GeV/u 14N⁷⁺) was successfully demonstrated during the 2023 engineering run resulting in the world’s first heavy-ion FLASH radiography.

Starting in 2025, a series of shock wave experiments with HE drivers covering the fields of functional material analysis for magnetic confinement fusion reactors as well as novel methods for material synthesis is scheduled. In preparation for those experiments, preliminary measurements for the assessment of the SIS-18 4H4 extraction stability have been performed and the upgrade and conversion of the existing HHT experimental area at GSI for HE experiments has already started.

proton radiography, shock waves, he drivers, material science, magnetic confinement fusion