1
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Liao G, Sun F, Lei H, Wang T, Wang D, Wei Y, Liu F, Wang X, Li Y, Zhang J. Femtosecond Dynamics of Fast Electron Pulses in Relativistic Laser-Foil Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:155001. [PMID: 38682968 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.155001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
We report the femtosecond time-resolved dynamics of relativistic electron pulses in ultraintense laser-foil interactions, by characterizing the terahertz self-radiation with single-shot ultrabroadband interferometry. Experimental measurements together with theoretical modeling reveal that the electron pulses inherit the duration of the driving laser pulse. We also visualize the electron recirculation dynamics, where electrons remain trapped inside the self-generated electrostatic potential well and rebound back and forth around the thin foil for hundreds of femtoseconds. Our results not only demonstrate an in situ, real-time metrology scheme for electron bursts, but also have important implications for understanding and manipulating the time-domain properties of laser-driven particle and radiation sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqian Liao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Fangzheng Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongyi Lei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianze Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanyu Wei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai 200240, China
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2
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Bruhaug G, Rinderknecht HG, Weichman K, VanDusen-Gross M, Palastro JP, Wei MS, Regan SP, E Y, Garriga K, Zhang XC, Collins GW, Rygg JR. Joule-class THz pulses from microchannel targets. OPTICS LETTERS 2024; 49:1737-1740. [PMID: 38560850 DOI: 10.1364/ol.518981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Inference of joule-class THz radiation sources from microchannel targets driven with hundreds of joule, picosecond lasers is reported. THz sources of this magnitude are useful for nonlinear pumping of matter and for charged-particle acceleration and manipulation. Microchannel targets demonstrate increased laser-THz conversion efficiency compared to planar foil targets, with laser energy to THz energy conversion up to ∼0.9% in the best cases.
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3
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Kraus BF, Gao L, Fox W, Hill KW, Bitter M, Efthimion PC, Moreau A, Hollinger R, Wang S, Song H, Rocca JJ. Ablating Ion Velocity Distributions in Short-Pulse-Heated Solids via X-Ray Doppler Shifts. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2022; 129:235001. [PMID: 36563203 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.129.235001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Solids ablate under laser irradiation, but experiments have not previously characterized the initiation of this process at ultrarelativistic laser intensities. We present first measurements of bulk ion velocity distributions as ablation begins, captured as a function of depth via Doppler-shifted x-ray line emission from two viewing angles. Bayesian analysis indicates that bulk ions are either nearly stationary or flowing outward at the plasma sound speed. The measurements quantitatively constrain the laser-plasma ablation mechanism, suggesting that a steplike electrostatic potential structure drives solid disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- B F Kraus
- Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, 08544 New Jersey, USA
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - Lan Gao
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - W Fox
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - K W Hill
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - M Bitter
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - P C Efthimion
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, 08540 New Jersey, USA
| | - A Moreau
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
| | - R Hollinger
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
| | - Shoujun Wang
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
| | - Huanyu Song
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
| | - J J Rocca
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
- Physics Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523 Colorado, USA
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4
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Dulat A, Aparajit C, Choudhary A, Lad AD, Ved YM, Paradkar BS, Ravindra Kumar G. Subpicosecond pre-plasma dynamics of a high contrast, ultraintense laser-solid target interaction. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:5684-5687. [PMID: 37219303 DOI: 10.1364/ol.461452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Using the spectral interferometry technique, we measured subpicosecond time-resolved pre-plasma scale lengths and early expansion (<12 ps) of the plasma produced by a high intensity (6 × 1018 W/cm2) pulse with high contrast (109). We measured pre-plasma scale lengths in the range of 3-20 nm, before the arrival of the peak of the femtosecond pulse. This measurement plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanism of laser coupling its energy to hot electrons and is hence important for laser-driven ion acceleration and the fast ignition approach to fusion.
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5
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Strehlow J, Kim J, Bailly-Grandvaux M, Bolaños S, Smith H, Haid A, Alfonso EL, Aniculaesei C, Chen H, Ditmire T, Donovan ME, Hansen SB, Hegelich BM, McLean HS, Quevedo HJ, Spinks MM, Beg FN. A laser parameter study on enhancing proton generation from microtube foil targets. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10827. [PMID: 35760862 PMCID: PMC9237049 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14881-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of an intense laser with a solid foil target can drive [Formula: see text] TV/m electric fields, accelerating ions to MeV energies. In this study, we experimentally observe that structured targets can dramatically enhance proton acceleration in the target normal sheath acceleration regime. At the Texas Petawatt Laser facility, we compared proton acceleration from a [Formula: see text] flat Ag foil, to a fixed microtube structure 3D printed on the front side of the same foil type. A pulse length (140-450 fs) and intensity ((4-10) [Formula: see text] W/cm[Formula: see text]) study found an optimum laser configuration (140 fs, 4 [Formula: see text] W/cm[Formula: see text]), in which microtube targets increase the proton cutoff energy by 50% and the yield of highly energetic protons ([Formula: see text] MeV) by a factor of 8[Formula: see text]. When the laser intensity reaches [Formula: see text] W/cm[Formula: see text], the prepulse shutters the microtubes with an overcritical plasma, damping their performance. 2D particle-in-cell simulations are performed, with and without the preplasma profile imported, to better understand the coupling of laser energy to the microtube targets. The simulations are in qualitative agreement with the experimental results, and show that the prepulse is necessary to account for when the laser intensity is sufficiently high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Strehlow
- Center for Energy Research, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Joohwan Kim
- Center for Energy Research, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Simon Bolaños
- Center for Energy Research, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Herbie Smith
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Alex Haid
- General Atomics, Inertial Fusion Technologies, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Emmanuel L Alfonso
- General Atomics, Inertial Fusion Technologies, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | | | - Hui Chen
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, 94550, USA
| | - Todd Ditmire
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Michael E Donovan
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | | | - Bjorn M Hegelich
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Harry S McLean
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, 94550, USA
| | - Hernan J Quevedo
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Michael M Spinks
- Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Farhat N Beg
- Center for Energy Research, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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6
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Lei HY, Sun FZ, Wang TZ, Chen H, Wang D, Wei YY, Ma JL, Liao GQ, Li YT. Highly efficient generation of GV/m-level terahertz pulses from intense femtosecond laser-foil interactions. iScience 2022; 25:104336. [PMID: 35602940 PMCID: PMC9118729 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The terahertz radiation from ultraintense laser-produced plasmas has aroused increasing attention recently as a promising approach toward strong terahertz sources. Here, we present the highly efficient production of millijoule-level terahertz pulses, from the rear side of a metal foil irradiated by a 10-TW femtosecond laser pulse. By characterizing the terahertz and electron emission in combination with particle-in-cell simulations, the physical reasons behind the efficient terahertz generation are discussed. The resulting focused terahertz electric field strength reaches over 2 GV/m, which is justified by experiments on terahertz strong-field-driven nonlinearity in semiconductors. Ultraintense laser-foil interactions generate a 2.1-mJ strong terahertz pulse Nearly 1% generation efficiency originates from optimized laser-plasma conditions 2-GV/m high THz fields induce absorption bleaching and impact ionization
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Lei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fang-Zheng Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tian-Ze Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan-Yu Wei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing-Long Ma
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Guo-Qian Liao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Tong Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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7
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Rusby DR, King PM, Pak A, Lemos N, Kerr S, Cochran G, Pagano I, Hannasch A, Quevedo H, Spinks M, Donovan M, Link A, Kemp A, Wilks SC, Williams GJ, Manuel MJE, Gavin Z, Haid A, Albert F, Aufderheide M, Chen H, Siders CW, Macphee A, Mackinnon A. Enhancements in laser-generated hot-electron production via focusing cone targets at short pulse and high contrast. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:053207. [PMID: 34134339 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.053207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We report on the increase in the accelerated electron number and energy using compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) targets from a short-pulse (∼150 fs), high-intensity (>10^{18} W/cm^{2}), and high-contrast (∼10^{8}) laser-solid interaction. We report on experimental measurements using CPC targets where the hot-electron temperature is enhanced up to ∼9 times when compared to planar targets. The temperature measured from the CPC target is 〈T_{e}〉=4.4±1.3 MeV. Using hydrodynamic and particle in cell simulations, we identify the primary source of this temperature enhancement is the intensity increase caused by the CPC geometry that focuses the laser, reducing the focal spot and therefore increasing the intensity of the laser-solid interaction, which is also consistent with analytic expectations for the geometrical focusing.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Rusby
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - P M King
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.,Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - A Pak
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - N Lemos
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S Kerr
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - G Cochran
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - I Pagano
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - A Hannasch
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - H Quevedo
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - M Spinks
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - M Donovan
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - A Link
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Kemp
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S C Wilks
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - G J Williams
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M J-E Manuel
- General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Ave, San Diego, California 92103, USA
| | - Z Gavin
- General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Ave, San Diego, California 92103, USA
| | - A Haid
- General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Ave, San Diego, California 92103, USA
| | - F Albert
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Aufderheide
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - H Chen
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - C W Siders
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Macphee
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Mackinnon
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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8
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Kovács Z, Bali K, Gilicze B, Szatmári S, Földes IB. Reflectivity and spectral shift from laser plasmas generated by high-contrast, high-intensity KrF laser pulses. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20200043. [PMID: 33040649 PMCID: PMC7658750 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2020.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The energy and spectrum of the reflected 248 nm radiation are studied from solid targets up to 1.15 × 1018 W cm-2 intensity. The experiments used the 700 fs directly amplified pulses of the KrF system which was cleaned from prepulses with the new Fourier-filtering method providing 12 orders of magnitude temporal contrast. Increasing the intensity from 1015 W cm-2 results in increasing absorption up to more than 90% above 1018 W cm-2. This is accompanied by increasing x-ray conversion exhibiting a less steep power law dependence for low-Z matter than for gold. Strong blue shift of the reflected radiation from the backward propagating plasma was observed. It is shown that in the case of KrF laser pulses of highest contrast, vacuum heating can be one of the dominant absorption mechanisms. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zs. Kovács
- Department of High Energy Experimental Particle and Heavy Ion Physics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Physics, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - K. Bali
- Department of High Energy Experimental Particle and Heavy Ion Physics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Experimental Physics, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - B. Gilicze
- Department of Experimental Physics, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Photonics and Laser Research, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - S. Szatmári
- Department of Experimental Physics, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Photonics and Laser Research, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - I. B. Földes
- Department of High Energy Experimental Particle and Heavy Ion Physics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
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9
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Lyu C, Cavaletto SM, Keitel CH, Harman Z. Narrow-band hard-x-ray lasing with highly charged ions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9439. [PMID: 32523007 PMCID: PMC7287111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65477-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A scheme is put forward to generate fully coherent x-ray lasers based on population inversion in highly charged ions, created by fast inner-shell photoionization using broadband x-ray free-electron-laser (XFEL) pulses in a laser-produced plasma. Numerical simulations based on the Maxwell–Bloch theory show that one can obtain high-intensity, femtosecond x-ray pulses of relative bandwidths Δω/ω = 10−5–10−7, by orders of magnitude narrower than in x-ray free-electron-laser pulses for discrete wavelengths down to the sub-ångström regime. Such x-ray lasers can be applicable in the study of x-ray quantum optics and metrology, investigating nonlinear interactions between x-rays and matter, or in high-precision spectroscopy studies in laboratory astrophysics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhai Lyu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefano M Cavaletto
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Christoph H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zoltán Harman
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
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10
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Williams GJ, Link A, Sherlock M, Alessi DA, Bowers M, Conder A, Di Nicola P, Fiksel G, Fiuza F, Hamamoto M, Hermann MR, Herriot S, Homoelle D, Hsing W, d'Humières E, Kalantar D, Kemp A, Kerr S, Kim J, LaFortune KN, Lawson J, Lowe-Webb R, Ma T, Mariscal DA, Martinez D, Manuel MJE, Nakai M, Pelz L, Prantil M, Remington B, Sigurdsson R, Widmayer C, Williams W, Willingale L, Zacharias R, Youngblood K, Chen H. Production of relativistic electrons at subrelativistic laser intensities. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:031201. [PMID: 32289929 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.031201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Relativistic electron temperatures were measured from kilojoule, subrelativistic laser-plasma interactions. Experiments show an order of magnitude higher temperatures than expected from a ponderomotive scaling, where temperatures of up to 2.2 MeV were generated using an intensity of 1×10^{18}W/cm^{2}. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations suggest that electrons gain superponderomotive energies by stochastic acceleration as they sample a large area of rapidly changing laser phase. We demonstrate that such high temperatures are possible from subrelativistic intensities by using lasers with long pulse durations and large spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Williams
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Link
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Sherlock
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D A Alessi
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Bowers
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Conder
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - P Di Nicola
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - G Fiksel
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - F Fiuza
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - M Hamamoto
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M R Hermann
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S Herriot
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D Homoelle
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - W Hsing
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | | | - D Kalantar
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - A Kemp
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - S Kerr
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J Kim
- Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, California 92093, USA
| | - K N LaFortune
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - J Lawson
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R Lowe-Webb
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - T Ma
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D A Mariscal
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - D Martinez
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M J-E Manuel
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92186, USA
| | - M Nakai
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - L Pelz
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - M Prantil
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - B Remington
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R Sigurdsson
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - C Widmayer
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - W Williams
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - L Willingale
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - R Zacharias
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - K Youngblood
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92186, USA
| | - Hui Chen
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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11
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Woldegeorgis A, Herzer S, Almassarani M, Marathapalli S, Gopal A. Modeling terahertz emission from the target rear side during intense laser-solid interactions. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:053204. [PMID: 31869893 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.053204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Relativistic laser-solid target interaction is a powerful source of terahertz radiation where broadband terahertz radiation is emitted from the front and rear surfaces of the target. Even though several experimental works have reported the generation of subpicosecond duration gigawatt peak power terahertz pulses from the target rear surface, the underlying physical process behind their origin is still an open question. Here we discuss a numerical model that can accurately reproduce several aspects of the experimental results. The model is based on the charged particle dynamics at the target rear surface and the evolution of the charge separation field. We identify the major contributors that are responsible for broadband terahertz emission from the rear surface of the target.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Woldegeorgis
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Herzer
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - M Almassarani
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Marathapalli
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - A Gopal
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
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12
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Gopal A, Woldegeorgis A, Herzer S, Almassarani M. Spatiotemporal visualization of the terahertz emission during high-power laser-matter interaction. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:053203. [PMID: 31869948 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.053203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Single-cycle pulses with multimillion volts per centimeter field strengths and spectra in the terahertz (THz) band have attracted great interest due to their ability to coherently manipulate molecular orientations and electron spins resonantly and nonresonantly. The tremendous progress made in the development of compact and powerful terahertz sources have identified intense laser-thin foil interaction as a potential candidate for high-power broadband terahertz radiation. They are micrometers in size and deliver radially polarized terahertz pulses with millijoule energy and gigawatt peak power. Although several works have been carried out to investigate the terahertz generation process, their origin and angular distribution are still debated. We present here an indisputable study on their spatiotemporal characteristics and elaborate the underlying physical processes via recording the three-dimensional beam profile along with transient dynamics. These results are substructured with the quantitative visualization of the charge particle spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gopal
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Physikalisch-Astronomische Fakultät, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Max-Wien Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - A Woldegeorgis
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Physikalisch-Astronomische Fakultät, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Max-Wien Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Herzer
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Physikalisch-Astronomische Fakultät, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Max-Wien Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - M Almassarani
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Physikalisch-Astronomische Fakultät, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Max-Wien Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
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13
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Gong T, Habara H, Sumioka K, Yoshimoto M, Hayashi Y, Kawazu S, Otsuki T, Matsumoto T, Minami T, Abe K, Aizawa K, Enmei Y, Fujita Y, Ikegami A, Makiyama H, Okazaki K, Okida K, Tsukamoto T, Arikawa Y, Fujioka S, Iwasa Y, Lee S, Nagatomo H, Shiraga H, Yamanoi K, Wei MS, Tanaka KA. Direct observation of imploded core heating via fast electrons with super-penetration scheme. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5614. [PMID: 31819056 PMCID: PMC6901506 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast ignition (FI) is a promising approach for high-energy-gain inertial confinement fusion in the laboratory. To achieve ignition, the energy of a short-pulse laser is required to be delivered efficiently to the pre-compressed fuel core via a high-energy electron beam. Therefore, understanding the transport and energy deposition of this electron beam inside the pre-compressed core is the key for FI. Here we report on the direct observation of the electron beam transport and deposition in a compressed core through the stimulated Cu Kα emission in the super-penetration scheme. Simulations reproducing the experimental measurements indicate that, at the time of peak compression, about 1% of the short-pulse energy is coupled to a relatively low-density core with a radius of 70 μm. Analysis with the support of 2D particle-in-cell simulations uncovers the key factors improving this coupling efficiency. Our findings are of critical importance for optimizing FI experiments in a super-penetration scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Gong
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900, People's Republic of China
| | - H Habara
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - K Sumioka
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - M Yoshimoto
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Hayashi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - S Kawazu
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - T Otsuki
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - T Matsumoto
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - T Minami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Abe
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Aizawa
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Enmei
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Fujita
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - A Ikegami
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Makiyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Okazaki
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Okida
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - T Tsukamoto
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Arikawa
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - S Fujioka
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Iwasa
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - S Lee
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Nagatomo
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Shiraga
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - K Yamanoi
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - M S Wei
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14623-1299, USA
| | - K A Tanaka
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Extreme Light Infrastructure: Nuclear Physics, 30 Reatorului, Magurele-Bucharest, 077125, Romania.
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14
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High-directional laser-plasma-induced X-ray source assisted by collimated electron beams in targets with a self-generated magnetic field. FUSION ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Gunst J, Wu Y, Keitel CH, Pálffy A. Nuclear excitation by electron capture in optical-laser-generated plasmas. Phys Rev E 2018; 97:063205. [PMID: 30011546 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.97.063205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The process of nuclear excitation by electron capture in plasma environments generated by the interaction of ultrastrong optical lasers with solid-state samples is investigated theoretically. With the help of a plasma model, we perform a comprehensive study of the optimal parameters for the most efficient nuclear excitation and determine the corresponding laser setup requirements. We discern between the low-density plasma regime, modeled by scaling laws, and the high-density regime, for which we perform particle-in-cell calculations. As a nuclear transition case study we consider the 4.85-keV nuclear excitation starting from the long-lived ^{93m}Mo isomer. Our results show that the optimal plasma and laser parameters are sensitive to the chosen observable and that measurable rates of nuclear excitation and isomer depletion of ^{93m}Mo should be already achievable at laser facilities existing today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Gunst
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuanbin Wu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adriana Pálffy
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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16
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Yi L, Shen B, Pukhov A, Fülöp T. Relativistic magnetic reconnection driven by a laser interacting with a micro-scale plasma slab. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1601. [PMID: 29686280 PMCID: PMC5913235 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic reconnection (MR) is a fundamental plasma process associated with conversion of the magnetic field energy into kinetic plasma energy, which is invoked to explain many non-thermal signatures in astrophysical events. Here we demonstrate that ultrafast relativistic MR in a magnetically dominated regime can be triggered by a readily available (TW-mJ-class) laser interacting with a micro-scale plasma slab. Three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations show that when the electrons beams excited on both sides of the slab approach the end of the plasma, MR occurs and it gives rise to efficient energy dissipation that leads to the emission of relativistic electron jets with cut-off energy ~12 MeV. The proposed scenario allows for accessing an unprecedented regime of MR in the laboratory, and may lead to experimental studies that can provide insight into open questions such as reconnection rate and particle acceleration in relativistic MR. Plasma releases magnetic energy by magnetic reconnection but the clear evidence of this phenomenon in relativistic regime is still lacking. Here the authors present a scheme for laboratory observation of the relativistic magnetic reconnection driven by laser-produced energetic electrons in the plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longqing Yi
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296, Gothenburg, Sweden. .,State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 800-211, 201800, Shanghai, China.
| | - Baifei Shen
- Department of Physics, Shanghai Normal University, 200234, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexander Pukhov
- Institut für Theoretische Physik I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tünde Fülöp
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
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17
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Wu Y, Gunst J, Keitel CH, Pálffy A. Tailoring Laser-Generated Plasmas for Efficient Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2018; 120:052504. [PMID: 29481161 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.120.052504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The optimal parameters for nuclear excitation by electron capture in plasma environments generated by the interaction of ultrastrong optical lasers with solid matter are investigated theoretically. As a case study we consider a 4.85 keV nuclear transition starting from the long-lived ^{93m}Mo isomer that can lead to the release of the stored 2.4 MeV excitation energy. We find that due to the complex plasma dynamics, the nuclear excitation rate and the actual number of excited nuclei do not reach their maximum at the same laser parameters. The nuclear excitation achievable with a high-power optical laser is up to twelve and up to six orders of magnitude larger than the values predicted for direct resonant and secondary plasma-mediated excitation at the x-ray free electron laser, respectively. Our results show that the experimental observation of the nuclear excitation of ^{93m}Mo and the subsequent release of stored energy should be possible at laser facilities available today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbin Wu
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Gunst
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Adriana Pálffy
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Novel Single-Shot Diagnostics for Electrons from Laser-Plasma Interaction at SPARC_LAB. QUANTUM BEAM SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/qubs1030013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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Chen SN, Vranic M, Gangolf T, Boella E, Antici P, Bailly-Grandvaux M, Loiseau P, Pépin H, Revet G, Santos JJ, Schroer AM, Starodubtsev M, Willi O, Silva LO, d'Humières E, Fuchs J. Collimated protons accelerated from an overdense gas jet irradiated by a 1 µm wavelength high-intensity short-pulse laser. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13505. [PMID: 29044204 PMCID: PMC5647424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated proton acceleration in the forward direction from a near-critical density hydrogen gas jet target irradiated by a high intensity (1018 W/cm2), short-pulse (5 ps) laser with wavelength of 1.054 μm. We observed the signature of the Collisionless Shock Acceleration mechanism, namely quasi-monoenergetic proton beams with small divergence in addition to the more commonly observed electron-sheath driven proton acceleration. The proton energies we obtained were modest (~MeV), but prospects for improvement are offered through further tailoring the gas jet density profile. Also, we observed that this mechanism is very robust in producing those beams and thus can be considered as a future candidate in laser-driven ion sources driven by the upcoming next generation of multi-PW near-infrared lasers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Chen
- LULI - CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, F-91128, Palaiseau cedex, France.
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
- Light Stream Labs LLC., Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
| | - M Vranic
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - T Gangolf
- LULI - CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, F-91128, Palaiseau cedex, France
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - E Boella
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Antici
- INRS-EMT, 1650, boulevard Lionel-Boulet, J3X 1S2, Varennes (Québec), Canada
| | - M Bailly-Grandvaux
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, CELIA (Centre Laser Intenses et Applications), UMR 5107, F-33405, Talence, France
| | - P Loiseau
- CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297, Arpajon, France
| | - H Pépin
- INRS-EMT, 1650, boulevard Lionel-Boulet, J3X 1S2, Varennes (Québec), Canada
| | - G Revet
- LULI - CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, F-91128, Palaiseau cedex, France
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - J J Santos
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, CELIA (Centre Laser Intenses et Applications), UMR 5107, F-33405, Talence, France
| | - A M Schroer
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mikhail Starodubtsev
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - O Willi
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - L O Silva
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - E d'Humières
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CEA, CELIA (Centre Laser Intenses et Applications), UMR 5107, F-33405, Talence, France
| | - J Fuchs
- LULI - CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, F-91128, Palaiseau cedex, France
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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20
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Experimental evidence for short-pulse laser heating of solid-density target to high bulk temperatures. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12144. [PMID: 28939883 PMCID: PMC5610192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heating efficiently solid-density, or even compressed, matter has been a long-sought goal in order to allow investigation of the properties of such state of matter of interest for various domains, e.g. astrophysics. High-power lasers, pinches, and more recently Free-Electron-Lasers (FELs) have been used in this respect. Here we show that by using the high-power, high-contrast “PEARL” laser (Institute of Applied Physics-Russian Academy of Science, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) delivering 7.5 J in a 60 fs laser pulse, such coupling can be efficiently obtained, resulting in heating of a slab of solid-density Al of 0.8 µm thickness at a temperature of 300 eV, and with minimal density gradients. The characterization of the target heating is achieved combining X-ray spectrometry and measurement of the protons accelerated from the Al slab. The measured heating conditions are consistent with a three-temperatures model that simulates resistive and collisional heating of the bulk induced by the hot electrons. Such effective laser energy deposition is achieved owing to the intrinsic high contrast of the laser which results from the Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplification technology it is based on, allowing to attain high target temperatures in a very compact manner, e.g. in comparison with large-scale FEL facilities.
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21
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Liang T, Bauer JM, Liu JC, Rokni SH. Bremsstrahlung Dose Yield for High-Intensity Short-Pulse Laser-Solid Experiments. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2017; 175:304-312. [PMID: 27913582 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncw325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A bremsstrahlung source term has been developed by the Radiation Protection (RP) group at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory for high-intensity short-pulse laser-solid experiments between 1017 and 1022 W cm-2. This source term couples the particle-in-cell plasma code EPOCH and the radiation transport code FLUKA to estimate the bremsstrahlung dose yield from laser-solid interactions. EPOCH characterizes the energy distribution, angular distribution, and laser-to-electron conversion efficiency of the hot electrons from laser-solid interactions, and FLUKA utilizes this hot electron source term to calculate a bremsstrahlung dose yield (mSv per J of laser energy on target). The goal of this paper is to provide RP guidelines and hazard analysis for high-intensity laser facilities. A comparison of the calculated bremsstrahlung dose yields to radiation measurement data is also made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiee Liang
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - James C Liu
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Sayed H Rokni
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
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22
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Yang B, Qiu R, Li J, Lu W, Wu Z, Li C. Photon dose estimation from ultraintense laser–solid interactions and shielding calculation with Monte Carlo simulation. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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23
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Dey I, Adak A, Singh PK, Shaikh M, Chatterjee G, Sarkar D, Lad AD, Kumar GR. Intense femtosecond laser driven collimated fast electron transport in a dielectric medium-role of intensity contrast. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:28419-28432. [PMID: 27958487 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.028419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-high intensity (> 1018 W/cm2), femtosecond (~30 fs) laser induced fast electron transport in a transparent dielectric has been studied for two laser systems having three orders of magnitude different peak to pedestal intensity contrast, using ultrafast time-resolved shadowgraphy. Use of a 400 nm femtosecond pulse as a probe enables the exclusive visualization of the dynamics of highest density electrons (> 7 × 1021 cm-3) observed so far. High picosecond contrast (~109) results in greater coupling of peak laser energy to the plasma electrons, enabling long (~1 mm), collimated (divergence angle ~2°) transport of fast electrons inside the dielectric medium at relativistic speeds (~0.66c). In comparison, the laser system with a contrast of ~106 has a large pre-plasma, limiting the coupling of laser energy to the solid and yielding limited fast electron injection into the dielectric. In the lower contrast case, bulk of the electrons expand as a cloud inside the medium with an order of magnitude lower speed than that of the fast electrons obtained with the high contrast laser. The expansion speed of the plasma towards vacuum is similar for the two contrasts.
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24
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Ostermayr TM, Haffa D, Hilz P, Pauw V, Allinger K, Bamberg KU, Böhl P, Bömer C, Bolton PR, Deutschmann F, Ditmire T, Donovan ME, Dyer G, Gaul E, Gordon J, Hegelich BM, Kiefer D, Klier C, Kreuzer C, Martinez M, McCary E, Meadows AR, Moschüring N, Rösch T, Ruhl H, Spinks M, Wagner C, Schreiber J. Proton acceleration by irradiation of isolated spheres with an intense laser pulse. Phys Rev E 2016; 94:033208. [PMID: 27739766 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.94.033208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We report on experiments irradiating isolated plastic spheres with a peak laser intensity of 2-3×10^{20}Wcm^{-2}. With a laser focal spot size of 10 μm full width half maximum (FWHM) the sphere diameter was varied between 520 nm and 19.3 μm. Maximum proton energies of ∼25 MeV are achieved for targets matching the focal spot size of 10 μm in diameter or being slightly smaller. For smaller spheres the kinetic energy distributions of protons become nonmonotonic, indicating a change in the accelerating mechanism from ambipolar expansion towards a regime dominated by effects caused by Coulomb repulsion of ions. The energy conversion efficiency from laser energy to proton kinetic energy is optimized when the target diameter matches the laser focal spot size with efficiencies reaching the percent level. The change of proton acceleration efficiency with target size can be attributed to the reduced cross-sectional overlap of subfocus targets with the laser. Reported experimental observations are in line with 3D3V particle in cell simulations. They make use of well-defined targets and point out pathways for future applications and experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Ostermayr
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - D Haffa
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - P Hilz
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - V Pauw
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - K Allinger
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - K-U Bamberg
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - P Böhl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - C Bömer
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - P R Bolton
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - F Deutschmann
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - T Ditmire
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - M E Donovan
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - G Dyer
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - E Gaul
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - J Gordon
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - B M Hegelich
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - D Kiefer
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - C Klier
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - C Kreuzer
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - M Martinez
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - E McCary
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - A R Meadows
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - N Moschüring
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - T Rösch
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - H Ruhl
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany
| | - M Spinks
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - C Wagner
- Center for High Energy Density Science, C1510, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - J Schreiber
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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25
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Ding WJ, Sheng ZM. Sub GV/cm terahertz radiation from relativistic laser-solid interactions via coherent transition radiation. Phys Rev E 2016; 93:063204. [PMID: 27415374 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.93.063204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Broadband terahertz (THz) radiation with extremely high peak power, generated by the interaction of a femtosecond laser with a thin solid target, has been investigated via particle-in-cell simulations. The spatial (angular) and temporal profiles of the THz radiation reveal that it is caused by the coherent transition radiation emitted when laser-produced hot electrons pass through the front or rear surface of the target. Dependence of the THz radiation on laser and target parameters is studied; it is shown to have a strong correlation with hot electron production. The THz radiation conversion efficiency can be as high as a few times 10^{-3}. This radiation is not only a potentially high power THz source, but may also be used as a unique diagnostic of hot electron generation and transport in relativistic laser-solid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Ding
- A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore 138632
| | - Z M Sheng
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom.,Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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26
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Contrasting levels of absorption of intense femtosecond laser pulses by solids. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17870. [PMID: 26648399 PMCID: PMC4673463 DOI: 10.1038/srep17870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The absorption of ultraintense, femtosecond laser pulses by a solid unleashes relativistic electrons, thereby creating a regime of relativistic optics. This has enabled exciting applications of relativistic particle beams and coherent X-ray radiation, and fundamental leaps in high energy density science and laboratory astrophysics. Obviously, central to these possibilities lies the basic problem of understanding and if possible, manipulating laser absorption. Surprisingly, the absorption of intense light largely remains an open question, despite the extensive variations in target and laser pulse structures. Moreover, there are only few experimental measurements of laser absorption carried out under very limited parameter ranges. Here we present an extensive investigation of absorption of intense 30 femtosecond laser pulses by solid metal targets. The study, performed under varying laser intensity and contrast ratio over four orders of magnitude, reveals a significant and non-intuitive dependence on these parameters. For contrast ratio of 10−9 and intensity of 2 × 1019 W cm−2, three observations are revealed: preferential acceleration of electrons along the laser axis, a ponderomotive scaling of electron temperature, and red shifting of emitted second-harmonic. These point towards the role of J × B absorption mechanism at relativistic intensity. The experimental results are supported by particle-in-cell simulations.
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27
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Tokita S, Sakabe S, Nagashima T, Hashida M, Inoue S. Strong sub-terahertz surface waves generated on a metal wire by high-intensity laser pulses. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8268. [PMID: 25652694 PMCID: PMC4317702 DOI: 10.1038/srep08268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Terahertz pulses trapped as surface waves on a wire waveguide can be flexibly transmitted and focused to sub-wavelength dimensions by using, for example, a tapered tip. This is particularly useful for applications that require high-field pulses. However, the generation of strong terahertz surface waves on a wire waveguide remains a challenge. Here, ultrafast field propagation along a metal wire driven by a femtosecond laser pulse with an intensity of 1018 W/cm2 is characterized by femtosecond electron deflectometry. From experimental and numerical results, we conclude that the field propagating at the speed of light is a half-cycle transverse-magnetic surface wave excited on the wire and a considerable portion of the kinetic energy of laser-produced fast electrons can be transferred to the sub-surface wave. The peak electric field strength of the surface wave and the pulse duration are estimated to be 200 MV/m and 7 ps, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Tokita
- 1] Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan [2] Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-7501, Japan
| | - Shuji Sakabe
- 1] Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan [2] Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-7501, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nagashima
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaki Hashida
- 1] Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan [2] Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-7501, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Inoue
- 1] Advanced Research Center for Beam Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan [2] Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-7501, Japan
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28
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Levy MC, Wilks SC, Tabak M, Libby SB, Baring MG. Petawatt laser absorption bounded. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4149. [PMID: 24938656 PMCID: PMC4083416 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of petawatt (10(15) W) lasers with solid matter forms the basis for advanced scientific applications such as table-top particle accelerators, ultrafast imaging systems and laser fusion. Key metrics for these applications relate to absorption, yet conditions in this regime are so nonlinear that it is often impossible to know the fraction of absorbed light f, and even the range of f is unknown. Here using a relativistic Rankine-Hugoniot-like analysis, we show for the first time that f exhibits a theoretical maximum and minimum. These bounds constrain nonlinear absorption mechanisms across the petawatt regime, forbidding high absorption values at low laser power and low absorption values at high laser power. For applications needing to circumvent the absorption bounds, these results will accelerate a shift from solid targets, towards structured and multilayer targets, and lead the development of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Levy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Scott C. Wilks
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Max Tabak
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Stephen B. Libby
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Matthew G. Baring
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
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29
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Li C, Cui YQ, Zhou ML, Du F, Li YT, Wang WM, Chen LM, Sheng ZM, Ma JL, Lu X, Zhang J. Role of resonance absorption in terahertz radiation generation from solid targets. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:11797-11803. [PMID: 24921301 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.011797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of 100-fs laser pulses with solid targets at laser intensities 10(16)-10(18)W/cm(2) has been investigated experimentally by simultaneous measurements of terahertz (THz) and second harmonic signals. THz yield at the front side of the target, which rises from the self-organized transient electron currents along the target surface, is found scaling linearly with the laser intensity basically. Measurements of specularly reflected light spectrum show clear evidence of resonance absorption. The positive effects of resonance absorption on surface current and THz radiation generation have been confirmed by two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and angular-dependent experiments, respectively.
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30
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Ovchinnikov VM, Schumacher DW, McMahon M, Chowdhury EA, Chen CD, Morace A, Freeman RR. Effects of preplasma scale length and laser intensity on the divergence of laser-generated hot electrons. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 110:065007. [PMID: 23432266 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.065007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report on a numerical study of the effects of preplasma scale length and laser intensity on the hot-electron (≥1 MeV) divergence angle using full-scale 2D3V (two dimensional in space, three dimensional in velocity) simulations including a self-consistent laser-plasma interaction and photoionization using the particle-in-cell code LSP. Our simulations show that the fast-electron divergence angle increases approximately linearly with the preplasma scale length for a fixed laser intensity. On the other hand, for a fixed preplasma scale length, the laser intensity has little effect on the divergence angle in the range between 10(18) and 10(21) W/cm(2). These findings have important implications for the interpretation of experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Ovchinnikov
- The Ohio State University, Department of Physics, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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31
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Ping Y, Kemp AJ, Divol L, Key MH, Patel PK, Akli KU, Beg FN, Chawla S, Chen CD, Freeman RR, Hey D, Higginson DP, Jarrott LC, Kemp GE, Link A, McLean HS, Sawada H, Stephens RB, Turnbull D, Westover B, Wilks SC. Dynamics of relativistic laser-plasma interaction on solid targets. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 109:145006. [PMID: 23083255 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.109.145006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A novel time-resolved diagnostic is used to record the critical surface motion during picosecond-scale relativistic laser interaction with a solid target. Single-shot measurements of the specular light show a redshift decreasing with time during the interaction, corresponding to a slowing-down of the hole boring process into overdense plasma. On-shot full characterization of the laser pulse enables simulations of the experiment without any free parameters. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations yield redshifts that agree with the data, and support a simple explanation of the slowing-down of the critical surface based on momentum conservation between ions and reflected laser light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ping
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
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32
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Sarkisov GS, Ivanov VV, Leblanc P, Sentoku Y, Yates K, Wiewior P, Chalyy O, Astanovitskiy A, Bychenkov VY, Jobe D, Spielman RB. Propagation of a laser-driven relativistic electron beam inside a solid dielectric. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2012; 86:036412. [PMID: 23031038 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.86.036412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Revised: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Laser probe diagnostics: shadowgraphy, interferometry, and polarimetry were used for a comprehensive characterization of ionization wave dynamics inside a glass target induced by a laser-driven, relativistic electron beam. Experiments were done using the 50-TW Leopard laser at the University of Nevada, Reno. We show that for a laser flux of ∼2 × 10(18) W/cm2 a hemispherical ionization wave propagates at c/3 for 10 ps and has a smooth electron-density distribution. The maximum free-electron density inside the glass target is ∼2 × 10(19) cm-3, which corresponds to an ionization level of ∼0.1%. Magnetic fields and electric fields do not exceed ∼15 kG and ∼1 MV/cm, respectively. The electron temperature has a hot, ringlike structure with a maximum of ∼0.7 eV. The topology of the interference phase shift shows the signature of the "fountain effect", a narrow electron beam that fans out from the propagation axis and heads back to the target surface. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) computer simulations demonstrate radial spreading of fast electrons by self-consistent electrostatic fields driven by laser. The very low ionization observed after the laser heating pulse suggests a fast recombination on the sub-ps time scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Sarkisov
- Raytheon Ktech, 1300 Eubank Blvd, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
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33
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Daido H, Nishiuchi M, Pirozhkov AS. Review of laser-driven ion sources and their applications. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2012; 75:056401. [PMID: 22790586 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/75/5/056401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
For many years, laser-driven ion acceleration, mainly proton acceleration, has been proposed and a number of proof-of-principle experiments have been carried out with lasers whose pulse duration was in the nanosecond range. In the 1990s, ion acceleration in a relativistic plasma was demonstrated with ultra-short pulse lasers based on the chirped pulse amplification technique which can provide not only picosecond or femtosecond laser pulse duration, but simultaneously ultra-high peak power of terawatt to petawatt levels. Starting from the year 2000, several groups demonstrated low transverse emittance, tens of MeV proton beams with a conversion efficiency of up to several percent. The laser-accelerated particle beams have a duration of the order of a few picoseconds at the source, an ultra-high peak current and a broad energy spectrum, which make them suitable for many, including several unique, applications. This paper reviews, firstly, the historical background including the early laser-matter interaction studies on energetic ion acceleration relevant to inertial confinement fusion. Secondly, we describe several implemented and proposed mechanisms of proton and/or ion acceleration driven by ultra-short high-intensity lasers. We pay special attention to relatively simple models of several acceleration regimes. The models connect the laser, plasma and proton/ion beam parameters, predicting important features, such as energy spectral shape, optimum conditions and scalings under these conditions for maximum ion energy, conversion efficiency, etc. The models also suggest possible ways to manipulate the proton/ion beams by tailoring the target and irradiation conditions. Thirdly, we review experimental results on proton/ion acceleration, starting with the description of driving lasers. We list experimental results and show general trends of parameter dependences and compare them with the theoretical predictions and simulations. The fourth topic includes a review of scientific, industrial and medical applications of laser-driven proton or ion sources, some of which have already been established, while the others are yet to be demonstrated. In most applications, the laser-driven ion sources are complementary to the conventional accelerators, exhibiting significantly different properties. Finally, we summarize the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Daido
- Applied Laser Technology Institute, Tsuruga Head Office, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kizaki, Tsuruga-shi, Fukui-ken 914-8585, Japan.
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34
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Sanz J, Debayle A, Mima K. Model for ultraintense laser-plasma interaction at normal incidence. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2012; 85:046411. [PMID: 22680590 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.85.046411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
An analytical study of the relativistic interaction of a linearly polarized laser field of ω frequency with highly overdense plasma is presented. In agreement with one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, the model self-consistently explains the transition between the sheath inverse bremsstrahlung absorption regime and the J×B heating (responsible for the 2ω electron bunches), as well as the high harmonic radiations and the mean electron energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sanz
- ETSI Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
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35
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Sentoku Y, d'Humières E, Romagnani L, Audebert P, Fuchs J. Dynamic control over mega-ampere electron currents in metals using ionization-driven resistive magnetic fields. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 107:135005. [PMID: 22026865 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.135005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of dynamically shaping mega-ampere electron currents generated in solids by ultraintense laser pulses in various conductor materials has been investigated. By tuning the target ionization dynamics, which depends both on the target material properties and on the input electron beam characteristics, we can control the growth of resistive magnetic fields that feedback on the current transport. As a result, collimation, hollowing, or filamentation of the electron beam can all be obtained. These results are beneficial for applications such as the production of secondary particles and radiation sources and fast ignition of inertial confinement fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Sentoku
- Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA
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36
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Rajeev R, Rishad KPM, Trivikram TM, Narayanan V, Krishnamurthy M. A Thomson parabola ion imaging spectrometer designed to probe relativistic intensity ionization dynamics of nanoclusters. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2011; 82:083303. [PMID: 21895239 DOI: 10.1063/1.3624698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Conventional techniques of probing ionization dynamics at relativistic intensities for extended target systems such as clusters are difficult both due to problems of achieving good charge resolution and signal integration over the focal volume. Simultaneous measurement of arrival time, necessary for these systems, has normally involved complicated methods. We designed and developed a Thomson parabola imaging spectrometer that overcomes these problems. Intensity sampling method evolved in this report is proved to be mandatory for probing ionization dynamics of clusters at relativistic intensities. We use this method to measure charge resolved kinetic energy spectra of argon nanoclusters at intensities of 4 × 10(18) W cm(-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- R Rajeev
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
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37
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Brown CRD, Hoarty DJ, James SF, Swatton D, Hughes SJ, Morton JW, Guymer TM, Hill MP, Chapman DA, Andrew JE, Comley AJ, Shepherd R, Dunn J, Chen H, Schneider M, Brown G, Beiersdorfer P, Emig J. Measurements of electron transport in foils irradiated with a picosecond time scale laser pulse. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 106:185003. [PMID: 21635097 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.185003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2009] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The heating of solid foils by a picosecond time scale laser pulse has been studied by using x-ray emission spectroscopy. The target material was plastic foil with a buried layer of a spectroscopic tracer material. The laser pulse length was either 0.5 or 2 ps, which resulted in a laser irradiance that varied over the range 10(16)-10(19) W/cm(2). Time-resolved measurements of the buried layer emission spectra using an ultrafast x-ray streak camera were used to infer the density and temperature conditions as a function of laser parameters and depth of the buried layer. Comparison of the data to different models of electron transport showed that they are consistent with a model of electron transport that predicts the bulk of the target heating is due to return currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R D Brown
- Directorate Science and Technology, AWE Aldermaston, Reading, United Kingdom
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38
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Weng SM, Sheng ZM, Zhang J. Inverse bremsstrahlung absorption with nonlinear effects of high laser intensity and non-Maxwellian distribution. Phys Rev E 2010; 80:056406. [PMID: 20365082 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.80.056406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Inverse bremsstrahlung (IB) absorption and evolution of the electron distribution function (EDF) in a wide laser intensity range (10;{12}-10;{17} W/cm;{2}) have been studied systematically by a two velocity-dimension Fokker-Planck code. It is found that Langdon's IB operator overestimates the absorption rate at high laser intensity, consequently with an overdistorted non-Maxwellian EDF. According to the small anisotropy of EDF in the oscillation frame, we introduce an IB operator which is similar to Langdon's but without the low laser intensity limit. This operator is appropriate for self-consistently tackling the nonlinear effects of high laser intensity as well as non-Maxwellian EDF. Particularly, our operator is capable of treating IB absorption properly in the indirect and direct-drive inertial confinement fusion schemes with the National Ignition Facility and Laser MegaJoule laser parameters at focused laser intensity beyond 10;{15} W/cm;{2} .
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Ming Weng
- Beijing National Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Beijing 100190, China
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39
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Le Pape S, Tsui YY, Macphee A, Hey D, Patel P, Mackinnon A, Key M, Wei M, Ma T, Beg FN, Stephens R, Akli K, Link T, Van-Woerkom L, Freeman RR. Characterization of the preformed plasma for high-intensity laser-plasma interaction. OPTICS LETTERS 2009; 34:2997-2999. [PMID: 19794794 DOI: 10.1364/ol.34.002997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of a very intense, very short laser pulse is modified by the presence of a preformed plasma prior to the main short pulse. The preformed plasma is created by a small prepulse interacting with the target prior to the main pulse. The prepulse has been monitored using a water-cell-protected fast photodiode allowing on every shot a high dynamic measurement of the pulse profile. Simultaneously we have used time-resolved interferometry to look at the preformed plasma on a 300 TW, 700 fs laser. The two-dimensional density maps obtained have been compared with two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastien Le Pape
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
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40
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Kemp AJ, Sentoku Y, Tabak M. Hot-electron energy coupling in ultraintense laser-matter interaction. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2009; 79:066406. [PMID: 19658611 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.79.066406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the hydrodynamic response of plasma gradients during the interaction with ultraintense energetic laser pulses using kinetic particle simulations. Energetic laser pulses are capable of compressing preformed plasma gradients over short times, while accelerating low-density plasma backward. As light is absorbed on a steepened interface, hot-electron temperature and coupling efficiency drop below the ponderomotive scaling and we are left with an absorption mechanism that strongly relies on the electrostatic potential caused by low-density preformed plasma. We describe this process, discuss properties of the resulting electron spectra and identify the parameter regime where strong compression occurs. Finally, we discuss implications for fast ignition and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Kemp
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
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Elberson LN, Ping Y, Shepherd RL, Patel PK, Mackinnon AJ, Hill WT. A picosecond time-resolved electron energy spectrometer based on Cerenkov radiation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2009; 80:023302. [PMID: 19256640 DOI: 10.1063/1.3080555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The energy spectrum of relativistic electrons is an important characterization of high intensity laser-matter interactions. We present a technique that utilizes Cerenkov radiation to measure the time-resolved energy distribution of electrons. Electrons escaping from targets irradiated by high-intensity laser pulses were measured, demonstrating the feasibility of such a novel diagnostic. Limitations on the time resolution of this diagnostic are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee N Elberson
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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Haines MG, Wei MS, Beg FN, Stephens RB. Hot-electron temperature and laser-light absorption in fast ignition. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:045008. [PMID: 19257435 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.045008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Experimental data [F. N. Beg, Phys. Plasmas 4, 447 (1997)10.1063/1.872103] indicate that for intense short-pulse laser-solid interactions at intensities up to 5 x 10(18) W cm(-2) the hot-electron temperature proportional, variant(Ilambda(2)) (1/3). A fully relativistic analytic model based on energy and momentum conservation laws for the laser interaction with an overdense plasma is presented here. A general formula for the hot-electron temperature is found that closely agrees with the experimental scaling over the relevant intensity range. This scaling is much lower than ponderomotive scaling. Examination of the electron forward displacement compared to the collisionless skin depth shows that electrons experience only a fraction of a laser-light period before being accelerated forward beyond the laser light's penetration region. Inclusion of backscattered light in a modified model indicates that light absorption approaches 80%-90% for intensity >10(19) W cm(-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Haines
- Physics Department, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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