A laser device includes an apparatus for producing amplified laser pulses, using a plurality of amplifying optical fibers, and groups the basic amplified pulses into an overall amplified pulse, as well as a target, onto which the overall amplified pulse is directed such as to generate a predetermined physical process thereon, which causes a change of state in the target. The laser device is configured to measure at least one distinctive parameter of the generated physical process; adjust at least one characteristic for adjusting the basic amplified laser pulses; and analyze a plurality of measurements for different adjustments. The device analyzes the measurements many times in loops for different laser pulse adjustment characteristics, enabling an optimization by a heuristic method. Also provided is a heuristic optimization method implemented by the laser device.

A laser device includes an apparatus for producing amplified laser pulses, using a plurality of amplifying optical fibers, and groups the basic amplified pulses into an overall amplified pulse, as well as a target, onto which the overall amplified pulse is directed such as to generate a predetermined physical process thereon, which causes a change of state in the target. The laser device is configured to measure at least one distinctive parameter of the generated physical process; adjust at least one characteristic for adjusting the basic amplified laser pulses; and analyze a plurality of measurements for different adjustments. The device analyzes the measurements many times in loops for different laser pulse adjustment characteristics, enabling an optimization by a heuristic method. Also provided is a heuristic optimization method implemented by the laser device.

Described in this disclosure is a laser target comprised of a liquid film creation device that is configured to form a liquid laser target. Methods of forming a liquid thin-film laser target are also described.

Described in this disclosure is a laser target comprised of a liquid film creation device that is configured to form a liquid laser target. Methods of forming a liquid thin-film laser target are also described.

Provided is a treating apparatus including an ion generating apparatus configured to inject ionized elements into a diagnosis subject to remove a tumor in the diagnosis subject, and an image photographing apparatus configured to measure positions of the ionized elements in the diagnosis subject. The ion generating apparatus includes a target including a first element and a first isotope that is a radioactive isotope of the first element, and a laser configured to allow a laser beam to be incident on the target and thus ionize the first element and the first isotope.

An apparatus to generate negative hydrogen ions. The apparatus may include an ion source chamber having a gas inlet to receive H.sub.2 gas; a light source directing radiation into the ion source chamber to generate excited H.sub.2 molecules having an excited vibrational state from at least some of the H.sub.2 gas; a low energy electron source directing low energy electrons into the ion source chamber, wherein H.sup. ions are generated from at least some of the excited H.sub.2 molecules; and an extraction assembly arranged to extract the H.sup. ions from the ion source chamber.

In a general aspect, ionizing radiation is generated using laser light. In some aspects, an apparatus for generating ionizing radiation includes a laser configured to generate a pulse of laser light and a gas medium that has an interaction region therein. The apparatus also includes an optical element that has a reflective surface. The reflective surface defines a focal point in the interaction region of the gas medium. The reflective surface is configured to receive the pulse of laser light and focus the pulse of laser light at the focal point. In many variations, the pulse of laser light is configured to generate a plasma in the interaction region when focused at the focal point by the reflective surface. In these variations, the gas medium is configured to emit an ionizing radiation from the interaction region in response to the plasma being generated therein. The ionizing radiation includes electron radiation.

In a general aspect, ionizing radiation is generated using laser light. In some aspects, an apparatus for generating ionizing radiation includes a laser configured to generate a pulse of laser light and a gas medium that has an interaction region therein. The apparatus also includes an optical element that has a reflective surface. The reflective surface defines a focal point in the interaction region of the gas medium. The reflective surface is configured to receive the pulse of laser light and focus the pulse of laser light at the focal point. In many variations, the pulse of laser light is configured to generate a plasma in the interaction region when focused at the focal point by the reflective surface. In these variations, the gas medium is configured to emit an ionizing radiation from the interaction region in response to the plasma being generated therein. The ionizing radiation includes electron radiation.

An inventive arrangement is made to produce for negative ions. It comprises a chamber with a sputtering gas, a cathode, an alkali metal in order to decrease a work function of the cathode, and an extraction channel. Further the arrangement comprises a voltage source for providing an electric field in the chamber, which electric field's lowest voltage level is on the cathode, and a light source to provide light onto the cathode.

An inventive arrangement is made to produce for negative ions. It comprises a chamber with a sputtering gas, a cathode, an alkali metal in order to decrease a work function of the cathode, and an extraction channel. Further the arrangement comprises a voltage source for providing an electric field in the chamber, which electric field's lowest voltage level is on the cathode, and a light source to provide light onto the cathode.