Characterization of radiochromic film scanning techniques used in short-pulse-laser ion acceleration^a)

Radiochromic film (RCF) is increasingly being used as a detector for proton beams from short-pulse laser-matter interaction experiments using the RCF imaging spectroscope technique. The community has traditionally used inexpensive flatbed scanners to digitize and analyze the data, as opposed to more expensive and time-consuming microdensitometers (MicroDs). Often, the RCF densities in some regions exceed an optical density (OD) of 3. Flatbed scanners are generally limited to a maximum OD of $∼3$⁠. Because of the high exposure density, flatbed scanners may yield data that are not reliable due to light scatter and light diffusion from areas of low density to areas of high density. This happens even when the OD is slightly above 1. We will demonstrate the limitations of using flatbed scanners for this type of radiographic media and characterize them compared to measurements made using a MicroD. A technique for cross characterizing both systems using a diffuse densitometer with a NIST wedge will also be presented.