Challenges of Occupational Radiation Protection at High Power Laser Facilities

Ionizing radiation protection has never been a concern at laser facilities; however, this is not valid any more, as the rapid devolopment of laser systems during the last decade resulted in ability of the lasers to generate not only X-rays but also high energy charged particles. This paper summarizes the methods for designing and implementing occupational radiation protection program, with emphasis on challenges raised by specifics of ionizing radation sources generated by lasers. Experience in designing the system for a newly built laser research centrum ELI Beamlines, and experiments performed primarily using laser systems located within PALS Research Cetre in Prague are described. (author)