1
|
Rösch TF, Afshari M, Balling F, Doyle L, Gerlach S, Hartmann J, Prasselsperger A, Morris S, Schreiber J. Transverse emittance growth of proton sources from laser-irradiated sub-μm-thin planar targets. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:025201. [PMID: 38491621 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.025201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Proton bunches with maximum energies between 12 and 22 MeV were emitted from submicrometer-thin plastic foils upon irradiation by laser pulses with peak intensity of 4×10^{20}W/cm^{2}. The images of the protons by a magnetic quadrupole doublet on a screen remained consistently larger by a factor of 10 compared to expectations drawn from the ultralow transverse emittance values reported for thick foil targets. Analytic estimates and particle-in-cell simulations attribute this drastically increased emittance to formerly excluded Coulomb collisions between charged particles. The presence of carbon ions and significant transparency likely play a decisive role. This observation is highly relevant because such thin, partially transparent foils are considered ideal for optimizing maximum proton energies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Rösch
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Masoud Afshari
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Felix Balling
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Leonard Doyle
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Sonja Gerlach
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Jens Hartmann
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | | | - Stuart Morris
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Jörg Schreiber
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morace A, Abe Y, Honrubia JJ, Iwata N, Arikawa Y, Nakata Y, Johzaki T, Yogo A, Sentoku Y, Mima K, Ma T, Mariscal D, Sakagami H, Norimatsu T, Tsubakimoto K, Kawanaka J, Tokita S, Miyanaga N, Shiraga H, Sakawa Y, Nakai M, Azechi H, Fujioka S, Kodama R. Super-strong magnetic field-dominated ion beam dynamics in focusing plasma devices. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6876. [PMID: 35477961 PMCID: PMC9046386 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10829-1] [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: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
High energy density physics is the field of physics dedicated to the study of matter and plasmas in extreme conditions of temperature, densities and pressures. It encompasses multiple disciplines such as material science, planetary science, laboratory and astrophysical plasma science. For the latter, high energy density states can be accompanied by extreme radiation environments and super-strong magnetic fields. The creation of high energy density states in the laboratory consists in concentrating/depositing large amounts of energy in a reduced mass, typically solid material sample or dense plasma, over a time shorter than the typical timescales of heat conduction and hydrodynamic expansion. Laser-generated, high current–density ion beams constitute an important tool for the creation of high energy density states in the laboratory. Focusing plasma devices, such as cone-targets are necessary in order to focus and direct these intense beams towards the heating sample or dense plasma, while protecting the proton generation foil from the harsh environments typical of an integrated high-power laser experiment. A full understanding of the ion beam dynamics in focusing devices is therefore necessary in order to properly design and interpret the numerous experiments in the field. In this work, we report a detailed investigation of large-scale, kilojoule-class laser-generated ion beam dynamics in focusing devices and we demonstrate that high-brilliance ion beams compress magnetic fields to amplitudes exceeding tens of kilo-Tesla, which in turn play a dominant role in the focusing process, resulting either in a worsening or enhancement of focusing capabilities depending on the target geometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Morace
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
| | - Y Abe
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - J J Honrubia
- ETSI Aeronautica y del Espacio, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - N Iwata
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Y Arikawa
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Y Nakata
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - T Johzaki
- Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - A Yogo
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Y Sentoku
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - K Mima
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - T Ma
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
| | - D Mariscal
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
| | - H Sakagami
- National Institute of Fusion Science, Toki, Japan
| | - T Norimatsu
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - K Tsubakimoto
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - J Kawanaka
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - S Tokita
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - N Miyanaga
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - H Shiraga
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Y Sakawa
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - M Nakai
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - H Azechi
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - S Fujioka
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - R Kodama
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li R, Huang TW, Ju LB, Yu MY, Zhang H, Wu SZ, Zhuo HB, Zhou CT, Ruan SC. Nanoscale Electrostatic Modulation of Mega-Ampere Electron Current in Solid-Density Plasmas. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:245002. [PMID: 34951809 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.245002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Transport of high-current relativistic electron beams in dense plasmas is of interest in many areas of research. However, so far the mechanism of such beam-plasma interaction is still not well understood due to the appearance of small time- and space-scale effects. Here we identify a new regime of electron beam transport in solid-density plasma, where kinetic effects that develop on small time and space scales play a dominant role. Our three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that in this regime the electron beam can evolve into layered short microelectron bunches when collisions are relatively weak. The phenomenon is attributed to a secondary instability, on the space- and timescales of the electron skin depth (tens of nanometers) and few femtoseconds of strong electrostatic modulation of the microelectron current filaments formed by Weibel-like instability of the original electron beam. Analytical analysis on the amplitude, scale length, and excitation condition of the self-generated electrostatic fields is clearly validated by the simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - T W Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - L B Ju
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - M Y Yu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - H Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - S Z Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - H B Zhuo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - C T Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| | - S C Ruan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ultraintense Laser and Advanced Material Technology, Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, and College of Engineering Physics, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dover NP, Nishiuchi M, Sakaki H, Kondo K, Alkhimova MA, Faenov AY, Hata M, Iwata N, Kiriyama H, Koga JK, Miyahara T, Pikuz TA, Pirozhkov AS, Sagisaka A, Sentoku Y, Watanabe Y, Kando M, Kondo K. Effect of Small Focus on Electron Heating and Proton Acceleration in Ultrarelativistic Laser-Solid Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 124:084802. [PMID: 32167312 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.084802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Acceleration of particles from the interaction of ultraintense laser pulses up to 5×10^{21} W cm^{-2} with thin foils is investigated experimentally. The electron beam parameters varied with decreasing spot size, not just laser intensity, resulting in reduced temperatures and divergence. In particular, the temperature saturated due to insufficient acceleration length in the tightly focused spot. These dependencies affected the sheath-accelerated protons, which showed poorer spot-size scaling than widely used scaling laws. It is therefore shown that maximizing laser intensity by using very small foci has reducing returns for some applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N P Dover
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - M Nishiuchi
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - H Sakaki
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - Ko Kondo
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - M A Alkhimova
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 125412, Russia
| | - A Ya Faenov
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 125412, Russia
- Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - M Hata
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - N Iwata
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - H Kiriyama
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - J K Koga
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - T Miyahara
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - T A Pikuz
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 125412, Russia
- Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiative, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - A S Pirozhkov
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - A Sagisaka
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - Y Sentoku
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Y Watanabe
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - M Kando
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - K Kondo
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Obst-Huebl L, Ziegler T, Brack FE, Branco J, Bussmann M, Cowan TE, Curry CB, Fiuza F, Garten M, Gauthier M, Göde S, Glenzer SH, Huebl A, Irman A, Kim JB, Kluge T, Kraft SD, Kroll F, Metzkes-Ng J, Pausch R, Prencipe I, Rehwald M, Roedel C, Schlenvoigt HP, Schramm U, Zeil K. All-optical structuring of laser-driven proton beam profiles. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5292. [PMID: 30546015 PMCID: PMC6294339 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07756-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme field gradients intrinsic to relativistic laser-interactions with thin solid targets enable compact MeV proton accelerators with unique bunch characteristics. Yet, direct control of the proton beam profile is usually not possible. Here we present a readily applicable all-optical approach to imprint detailed spatial information from the driving laser pulse onto the proton bunch. In a series of experiments, counter-intuitively, the spatial profile of the energetic proton bunch was found to exhibit identical structures as the fraction of the laser pulse passing around a target of limited size. Such information transfer between the laser pulse and the naturally delayed proton bunch is attributed to the formation of quasi-static electric fields in the beam path by ionization of residual gas. Essentially acting as a programmable memory, these fields provide access to a higher level of proton beam manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lieselotte Obst-Huebl
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany. .,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Tim Ziegler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian-Emanuel Brack
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - João Branco
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bussmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas E Cowan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Chandra B Curry
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.,University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Frederico Fiuza
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Marco Garten
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maxence Gauthier
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Sebastian Göde
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, 22869, Schenefeld, Germany
| | - Siegfried H Glenzer
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Axel Huebl
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Arie Irman
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jongjin B Kim
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Thomas Kluge
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan D Kraft
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Florian Kroll
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Josefine Metzkes-Ng
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Richard Pausch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Irene Prencipe
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Rehwald
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Peter Schlenvoigt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schramm
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karl Zeil
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cutroneo M, Torrisi L, Badziak J, Rosinski M, Havranek V, Mackova A, Malinsky P, Sofer Z, Luxa J, Cannavò A, Lorincik J. Graphite oxide based targets applied in laser matter interaction. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201816702004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we propose the production of a hybrid graphene based material suitable to be laser irradiated with the aim to produce quasi-monoenergetic proton beams using a femtosecond laser system. The unique lattice structure of the irradiated solid thin target can affect the inside electron propagation, their outgoing from the rear side of a thin foil, and subsequently the plasma ion acceleration. The produced targets, have been characterized in composition, roughness and structure and for completeness irradiated. The yield and energy of the ions emitted from the laser-generated plasma have been monitored and the emission of proton stream profile exhibited an acceleration of the order of several MeVs/charge state.
Collapse
|
7
|
Micron-scale mapping of megagauss magnetic fields using optical polarimetry to probe hot electron transport in petawatt-class laser-solid interactions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8347. [PMID: 28827645 PMCID: PMC5566325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08619-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The transport of hot, relativistic electrons produced by the interaction of an intense petawatt laser pulse with a solid has garnered interest due to its potential application in the development of innovative x-ray sources and ion-acceleration schemes. We report on spatially and temporally resolved measurements of megagauss magnetic fields at the rear of a 50-μm thick plastic target, irradiated by a multi-picosecond petawatt laser pulse at an incident intensity of ~1020 W/cm2. The pump-probe polarimetric measurements with micron-scale spatial resolution reveal the dynamics of the magnetic fields generated by the hot electron distribution at the target rear. An annular magnetic field profile was observed ~5 ps after the interaction, indicating a relatively smooth hot electron distribution at the rear-side of the plastic target. This is contrary to previous time-integrated measurements, which infer that such targets will produce highly structured hot electron transport. We measured large-scale filamentation of the hot electron distribution at the target rear only at later time-scales of ~10 ps, resulting in a commensurate large-scale filamentation of the magnetic field profile. Three-dimensional hybrid simulations corroborate our experimental observations and demonstrate a beam-like hot electron transport at initial time-scales that may be attributed to the local resistivity profile at the target rear.
Collapse
|
8
|
Göde S, Rödel C, Zeil K, Mishra R, Gauthier M, Brack FE, Kluge T, MacDonald MJ, Metzkes J, Obst L, Rehwald M, Ruyer C, Schlenvoigt HP, Schumaker W, Sommer P, Cowan TE, Schramm U, Glenzer S, Fiuza F. Relativistic Electron Streaming Instabilities Modulate Proton Beams Accelerated in Laser-Plasma Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2017; 118:194801. [PMID: 28548516 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.118.194801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report experimental evidence that multi-MeV protons accelerated in relativistic laser-plasma interactions are modulated by strong filamentary electromagnetic fields. Modulations are observed when a preplasma is developed on the rear side of a μm-scale solid-density hydrogen target. Under such conditions, electromagnetic fields are amplified by the relativistic electron Weibel instability and are maximized at the critical density region of the target. The analysis of the spatial profile of the protons indicates the generation of B>10 MG and E>0.1 MV/μm fields with a μm-scale wavelength. These results are in good agreement with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and analytical estimates, which further confirm that this process is dominant for different target materials provided that a preplasma is formed on the rear side with scale length ≳0.13λ_{0}sqrt[a_{0}]. These findings impose important constraints on the preplasma levels required for high-quality proton acceleration for multipurpose applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Göde
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
- European XFEL GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, 22869 Schenefeld, Germany
| | - C Rödel
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
- Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - K Zeil
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - R Mishra
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - M Gauthier
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - F-E Brack
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - T Kluge
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - M J MacDonald
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J Metzkes
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - L Obst
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - M Rehwald
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - C Ruyer
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
- CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France
| | - H-P Schlenvoigt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - W Schumaker
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - P Sommer
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - T E Cowan
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - U Schramm
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiation Physics, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - S Glenzer
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - F Fiuza
- High Energy Density Science Division, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Borghesi M, Fuchs J, Bulanov SV, MacKinnon AJ, Patel PK, Roth M. Fast Ion Generation by High-Intensity Laser Irradiation of Solid Targets and Applications. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst06-a1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Borghesi
- The Queen’s University, School of Mathematics and Physics, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - J. Fuchs
- Laboratoire pour l’Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, UMR 7605 CNRS-CEA-École Polytechnique-Université Paris VI, 91128 Palaiseau 3, France
- University of Nevada, Physics Department, MS-220, Reno, Nevada 89557
| | - S. V. Bulanov
- Kansai Research Establishment, APRC-JAERI, Kizu, Japan
| | - A. J. MacKinnon
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - P. K. Patel
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California
| | - M. Roth
- Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Key MH, Freeman RR, Hatchett SP, MacKinnon AJ, Patel PK, Snavely RA, Stephens RB. Proton Fast Ignition. FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst06-a1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. H. Key
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | | | - S. P. Hatchett
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - A. J. MacKinnon
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - P. K. Patel
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | - R. A. Snavely
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yang S, Yuan X, Fang Y, Ge X, Deng Y, Wei W, Gao J, Fu F, Jiang T, Liao G, Liu F, Chen M, Li Y, Zhao L, Ma Y, Sheng Z, Zhang J. A two-dimensional angular-resolved proton spectrometer. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2016; 87:103301. [PMID: 27802724 DOI: 10.1063/1.4963706] [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
We present a novel design of two-dimensional (2D) angular-resolved spectrometer for full beam characterization of ultrashort intense laser driven proton sources. A rotated 2D pinhole array was employed, as selective entrance before a pair of parallel permanent magnets, to sample the full proton beam into discrete beamlets. The proton beamlets are subsequently dispersed without overlapping onto a planar detector. Representative experimental result of protons generated from femtosecond intense laser interaction with thin foil target is presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Yang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaohui Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xulei Ge
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yanqing Deng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Wenqing Wei
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Feichao Fu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guoqian Liao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Min Chen
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yanyun Ma
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhengming Sheng
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
MacLellan DA, Carroll DC, Gray RJ, Booth N, Burza M, Desjarlais MP, Du F, Neely D, Powell HW, Robinson APL, Scott GG, Yuan XH, Wahlström CG, McKenna P. Tunable mega-ampere electron current propagation in solids by dynamic control of lattice melt. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 113:185001. [PMID: 25396375 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.185001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The influence of lattice-melt-induced resistivity gradients on the transport of mega-ampere currents of fast electrons in solids is investigated numerically and experimentally using laser-accelerated protons to induce isochoric heating. Tailoring the heating profile enables the resistive magnetic fields which strongly influence the current propagation to be manipulated. This tunable laser-driven process enables important fast electron beam properties, including the beam divergence, profile, and symmetry to be actively tailored, and without recourse to complex target manufacture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D A MacLellan
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - D C Carroll
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - R J Gray
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - N Booth
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - M Burza
- Department of Physics, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, S-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - M P Desjarlais
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - F Du
- Beijing National Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - D Neely
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - H W Powell
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - A P L Robinson
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - G G Scott
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom and Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - X H Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - C-G Wahlström
- Department of Physics, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, S-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - P McKenna
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yogo A, Kondo K, Mori M, Kiriyama H, Ogura K, Shimomura T, Inoue N, Fukuda Y, Sakaki H, Jinno S, Kanasaki M, Bolton PR. Insertable pulse cleaning module with a saturable absorber pair and a compensating amplifier for high-intensity ultrashort-pulse lasers. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:2060-2069. [PMID: 24515215 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.002060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the performance of an efficient insertable pulse cleaning module (IPCM) that uses a saturable absorber (SA) pair with a compensating multi-pass amplifier. IPCM consists of a first SA, a grating compressor, a second SA, a stretcher and a compensating Ti:sapphire amplifier. It is implemented with a conventional chirped pulse amplification (CPA) Ti:sapphire laser system, resulting in a double CPA system architecture, and suppresses the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) level of the pulse pedestal by about three orders of magnitude while preserving the output pulse energy and repetition-rate of the overall laser system. The duration of recompressed cleaned pulses is comparable to that obtained without the cleaning module. The effectiveness of the cleaning module is confirmed in laser-driven proton acceleration experiments. At the 10(9) W/cm2 pedestal level, the surface structure and electrical resistivity of an insulator target (100 nm silicon nitride) are preserved prior to the arrival of the intense ultrashort pulse.
Collapse
|
14
|
MacLellan DA, Carroll DC, Gray RJ, Booth N, Burza M, Desjarlais MP, Du F, Gonzalez-Izquierdo B, Neely D, Powell HW, Robinson APL, Rusby DR, Scott GG, Yuan XH, Wahlström CG, McKenna P. Annular fast electron transport in silicon arising from low-temperature resistivity. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:095001. [PMID: 24033041 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.095001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fast electron transport in Si, driven by ultraintense laser pulses, is investigated experimentally and via 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations. A transition from a Gaussian-like to an annular fast electron beam profile is demonstrated and explained by resistively generated magnetic fields. The results highlight the potential to completely transform the beam transport pattern by tailoring the resistivity-temperature profile at temperatures as low as a few eV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D A MacLellan
- Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kiefer T, Schlegel T, Kaluza MC. Plasma expansion into vacuum assuming a steplike electron energy distribution. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2013; 87:043110. [PMID: 23679533 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.87.043110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of a semi-infinite plasma slab into vacuum is analyzed with a hydrodynamic model implying a steplike electron energy distribution function. Analytic expressions for the maximum ion energy and the related ion distribution function are derived and compared with one-dimensional numerical simulations. The choice of the specific non-Maxwellian initial electron energy distribution automatically ensures the conservation of the total energy of the system. The estimated ion energies may differ by an order of magnitude from the values obtained with an adiabatic expansion model supposing a Maxwellian electron distribution. Furthermore, good agreement with data from experiments using laser pulses of ultrashort durations τ(L)</~80fs is found, while this is not the case when a hot Maxwellian electron distribution is assumed.
Collapse
|
16
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G S Sarkisov
- Raytheon Ktech, 1300 Eubank Blvd, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Direct observation of turbulent magnetic fields in hot, dense laser produced plasmas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:8011-5. [PMID: 22566660 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1200753109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Turbulence in fluids is a ubiquitous, fascinating, and complex natural phenomenon that is not yet fully understood. Unraveling turbulence in high density, high temperature plasmas is an even bigger challenge because of the importance of electromagnetic forces and the typically violent environments. Fascinating and novel behavior of hot dense matter has so far been only indirectly inferred because of the enormous difficulties of making observations on such matter. Here, we present direct evidence of turbulence in giant magnetic fields created in an overdense, hot plasma by relativistic intensity (10(18) W/cm(2)) femtosecond laser pulses. We have obtained magneto-optic polarigrams at femtosecond time intervals, simultaneously with micrometer spatial resolution. The spatial profiles of the magnetic field show randomness and their k spectra exhibit a power law along with certain well defined peaks at scales shorter than skin depth. Detailed two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations delineate the underlying interaction between forward currents of relativistic energy "hot" electrons created by the laser pulse and "cold" return currents of thermal electrons induced in the target. Our results are not only fundamentally interesting but should also arouse interest on the role of magnetic turbulence induced resistivity in the context of fast ignition of laser fusion, and the possibility of experimentally simulating such structures with respect to the sun and other stellar environments.
Collapse
|
18
|
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: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Daido
- Applied Laser Technology Institute, Tsuruga Head Office, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kizaki, Tsuruga-shi, Fukui-ken 914-8585, Japan.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen SN, d'Humières E, Lefebvre E, Romagnani L, Toncian T, Antici P, Audebert P, Brambrink E, Cecchetti CA, Kudyakov T, Pipahl A, Sentoku Y, Borghesi M, Willi O, Fuchs J. Focusing dynamics of high-energy density, laser-driven ion beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 108:055001. [PMID: 22400936 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.055001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of the focusing of laser-driven ion beams produced from concave solid targets was studied. Most of the ion beam energy is observed to converge at the center of the cylindrical targets with a spot diameter of 30 μm, which can be very beneficial for applications requiring high beam energy densities. Also, unbalanced laser irradiation does not compromise the focusability of the beam. However, significant filamentation occurs during the focusing, potentially limiting the localization of the energy deposition region by these beams at focus. These effects could impact the applicability of such high-energy density beams for applications, e.g., in proton-driven fast ignition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S N Chen
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Sentoku
- Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kar S, Markey K, Borghesi M, Carroll DC, McKenna P, Neely D, Quinn MN, Zepf M. Ballistic focusing of polyenergetic protons driven by petawatt laser pulses. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 106:225003. [PMID: 21702607 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.225003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
By using a thick (250 μm) target with 350 μm radius of curvature, the intense proton beam driven by a petawatt laser is focused at a distance of ∼1 mm from the target for all detectable energies up to ∼25 MeV. The thickness of the foil facilitates beam focusing as it suppresses the dynamic evolution of the beam divergence caused by peaked electron flux distribution at the target rear side. In addition, reduction in inherent beam divergence due to the target thickness relaxes the curvature requirement for short-range focusing. Energy resolved mapping of the proton beam trajectories from mesh radiographs infers the focusing and the data agree with a simple geometrical modeling based on ballistic beam propagation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Kar
- Centre for Plasma Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C R D Brown
- Directorate Science and Technology, AWE Aldermaston, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
McKenna P, Robinson APL, Neely D, Desjarlais MP, Carroll DC, Quinn MN, Yuan XH, Brenner CM, Burza M, Coury M, Gallegos P, Gray RJ, Lancaster KL, Li YT, Lin XX, Tresca O, Wahlström CG. Effect of lattice structure on energetic electron transport in solids irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 106:185004. [PMID: 21635098 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.185004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The effect of lattice structure on the transport of energetic (MeV) electrons in solids irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses is investigated using various allotropes of carbon. We observe smooth electron transport in diamond, whereas beam filamentation is observed with less ordered forms of carbon. The highly ordered lattice structure of diamond is shown to result in a transient state of warm dense carbon with metalliclike conductivity, at temperatures of the order of 1-100 eV, leading to suppression of electron beam filamentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P McKenna
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Debayle A, Honrubia JJ, d'Humières E, Tikhonchuk VT. Divergence of laser-driven relativistic electron beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2010; 82:036405. [PMID: 21230194 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.82.036405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Electron acceleration by ultrahigh intensity lasers is studied by means of two-dimensional planar particle-in-cell simulations. It is shown that the full divergence of the fast electron beam is defined by two complementary physical effects: the regular radial beam deviation depending on the electron radial position and the angular dispersion. If the scale length of the preplasma surrounding the solid target is sufficiently low, the radial deviation is determined by the transverse component of the laser ponderomotive force. The random angular dispersion is due to the small scale magnetic fields excited near the critical density due to the collisionless Weibel instability. When a preplasma is present, the radial beam deviation increases due to the electron acceleration in larger volumes and can become comparable to the local angular dispersion. This effect has been neglected so far in most of the fast electron transport calculations, overestimating significantly the beam collimation by resistive magnetic fields. Simulations with a two-dimensional cylindrically-symmetric hybrid code accounting for the electron radial velocity demonstrate a substantially reduced strength and a shorter penetration of the azimuthal magnetic field in solid targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Debayle
- ETSI Aeronáuticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Buffechoux S, Psikal J, Nakatsutsumi M, Romagnani L, Andreev A, Zeil K, Amin M, Antici P, Burris-Mog T, Compant-La-Fontaine A, d'Humières E, Fourmaux S, Gaillard S, Gobet F, Hannachi F, Kraft S, Mancic A, Plaisir C, Sarri G, Tarisien M, Toncian T, Schramm U, Tampo M, Audebert P, Willi O, Cowan TE, Pépin H, Tikhonchuk V, Borghesi M, Fuchs J. Hot electrons transverse refluxing in ultraintense laser-solid interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 105:015005. [PMID: 20867457 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.015005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2009] [Revised: 01/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We have analyzed the coupling of ultraintense lasers (at ∼2×10{19} W/cm{2}) with solid foils of limited transverse extent (∼10 s of μm) by monitoring the electrons and ions emitted from the target. We observe that reducing the target surface area allows electrons at the target surface to be reflected from the target edges during or shortly after the laser pulse. This transverse refluxing can maintain a hotter, denser and more homogeneous electron sheath around the target for a longer time. Consequently, when transverse refluxing takes places within the acceleration time of associated ions, we observe increased maximum proton energies (up to threefold), increased laser-to-ion conversion efficiency (up to a factor 30), and reduced divergence which bodes well for a number of applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Buffechoux
- LULI, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Willingale L, Nagel SR, Thomas AGR, Bellei C, Clarke RJ, Dangor AE, Heathcote R, Kaluza MC, Kamperidis C, Kneip S, Krushelnick K, Lopes N, Mangles SPD, Nazarov W, Nilson PM, Najmudin Z. Characterization of high-intensity laser propagation in the relativistic transparent regime through measurements of energetic proton beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:125002. [PMID: 19392290 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.125002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2008] [Revised: 01/11/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Experiments were performed to investigate the propagation of a high intensity (I approximately 10(21) W cm(-2)) laser in foam targets with densities ranging from 0.9n(c) to 30n(c). Proton acceleration was used to diagnose the interaction. An improvement in proton beam energy and efficiency is observed for the lowest density foam (n(e)=0.9n(c)), compared to higher density foams. Simulations show that the laser beam penetrates deeper into the target due to its relativistic propagation and results in greater collimation of the ensuing hot electrons. This results in the rear surface accelerating electric field being larger, increasing the efficiency of the acceleration. Enhanced collimation of the ions is seen to be due to the self-generated azimuthal magnetic and electric fields at the rear of the target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Willingale
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nilson PM, Theobald W, Myatt JF, Stoeckl C, Storm M, Zuegel JD, Betti R, Meyerhofer DD, Sangster TC. Bulk heating of solid-density plasmas during high-intensity-laser plasma interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2009; 79:016406. [PMID: 19257147 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.79.016406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
K -shell x-ray spectroscopy is used to study the interaction of small-mass copper foil targets (>20x20x2microm;{3}) with a high-intensity (>10;{19}Wcm;{2}) laser pulse. Efficient bulk heating to greater than 200eV is demonstrated using collisional-energy transfer from recirculating fast electrons. K -photon yields and bulk-electron temperatures calculated by three-dimensional numerical target-heating simulations are in good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P M Nilson
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Debayle A, Tikhonchuk VT. Filamentation instability of a fast electron beam in a dielectric target. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2008; 78:066404. [PMID: 19256959 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.78.066404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
High-intensity laser-matter interaction is an efficient method for high-current relativistic electron beam production. At current densities exceeding a several kA microm{-2} , the beam propagation is maintained by an almost complete current neutralization by the target electrons. In such a geometry of two oppositely directed flows, beam instabilities can develop, depending on the target and the beam parameters. The present paper proposes an analytical description of the filamentation instability of an electron beam propagating through an insulator target. It is shown that the collisionless and resistive instabilities enter into competition with the ionization instability. This latter process is dominant in insulator targets where the field ionization by the fast beam provides free electrons for the neutralization current.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Debayle
- Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, Université Bordeaux 1, CNRS, CEA, 351, Cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence Cedex, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Antici P, Fuchs J, Borghesi M, Gremillet L, Grismayer T, Sentoku Y, d'Humières E, Cecchetti CA, Mancić A, Pipahl AC, Toncian T, Willi O, Mora P, Audebert P. Hot and cold electron dynamics following high-intensity laser matter interaction. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2008; 101:105004. [PMID: 18851222 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.105004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of fast electrons laser accelerated from solids and expanding into a vacuum from the rear target surface have been measured via optical probe reflectometry. This allows access to the time- and space-resolved dynamics of the fast electron density and temperature and of the energy partition into bulk (cold) electrons. In particular, it is found that the density of the hot electrons on the target rear surface is bell shaped, and that their mean energy at the same location is radially homogeneous and decreases with the target thickness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Antici
- LULI, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nakamura T, Mima K, Ter-Avetisyan S, Schnürer M, Sokollik T, Nickles PV, Sandner W. Lateral movement of a laser-accelerated proton source on the target's rear surface. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2008; 77:036407. [PMID: 18517533 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.77.036407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The spatial dependence of proton acceleration at the rear surface of a target that is irradiated by high-contrast and ultraintense laser pulses is investigated. Lateral movement of the proton acceleration position at the rear surface is observed; this is tested by a two-pinhole measurement which results in the observation of protons with a narrow energy band. This drifting is only observed when relativistic-intensity laser pulses irradiate targets with a small preplasma at oblique incidence, as is confirmed by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. This scenario of proton acceleration by the fast-moving sheath field leads to energy selection of the accelerated protons as a function of observing position.
Collapse
|
31
|
Robinson APL, Sherlock M, Norreys PA. Artificial collimation of fast-electron beams with two laser pulses. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2008; 100:025002. [PMID: 18232878 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.025002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A scheme for artificially collimating fast-electron beams produced in high intensity (>10(19) W cm(-2)) laser-solid interactions is proposed. The scheme uses a laser pulse at the relativistic threshold (approximately 10(18) W cm(-2)) that precedes the high intensity pulse to pregenerate a collimating magnetic field. This concept is supported by analytical calculations and numerical calculations performed using a novel hybrid-Vlasov-Fokker-Planck code called LEDA. This scheme may be highly useful for fast ignition inertial confinement fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P L Robinson
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Carroll DC, McKenna P, Lundh O, Lindau F, Wahlström CG, Bandyopadhyay S, Pepler D, Neely D, Kar S, Simpson PT, Markey K, Zepf M, Bellei C, Evans RG, Redaelli R, Batani D, Xu MH, Li YT. Active manipulation of the spatial energy distribution of laser-accelerated proton beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2007; 76:065401. [PMID: 18233889 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.76.065401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2007] [Revised: 09/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The spatial energy distributions of beams of protons accelerated by ultrahigh intensity (>10(19)Wcm2) picosecond laser pulse interactions with thin foil targets are investigated. Using separate, low intensity (<10(13)Wcm2) nanosecond laser pulses, focused onto the front surface of the target foil prior to the arrival of the high intensity pulse, it is demonstrated that the proton beam profile can be actively manipulated. In particular, results obtained with an annular intensity distribution at the focus of the low intensity beam are presented, showing smooth proton beams with a sharp circular boundary at all energies, which represents a significant improvement in the beam quality compared to irradiation with the picosecond beam alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D C Carroll
- SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kemp AJ, Fuchs J, Sentoku Y, Sotnikov V, Bakeman M, Antici P, Cowan TE. Emittance growth mechanisms for laser-accelerated proton beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2007; 75:056401. [PMID: 17677176 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.75.056401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2006] [Revised: 01/05/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent experiments the transverse normalized rms emittance of laser-accelerated MeV ion beams was found to be < 0.002 mm mrad, which is at least 100 times smaller than the emittance of thermal ion sources used in accelerators [T. E. Cowan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 204801 (2004)]. We investigate the origin for the low emittance of laser-accelerated proton beams by studying several candidates for emittance-growth mechanisms. As our main tools, we use analytical models and one- and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations that have been modified to include binary collisions between particles. We find that the dominant source of emittance is filamentation of the laser-generated hot electron jets that drive the ion acceleration. Cold electron-ion collisions that occur before ions are accelerated contribute less than ten percent of the final emittance. Our results are in qualitative agreement with the experiment, for which we present a refined analysis relating emittance to temperature, a better representative of the fundamental beam physics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J Kemp
- Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Schreiber J, Bell F, Grüner F, Schramm U, Geissler M, Schnürer M, Ter-Avetisyan S, Hegelich BM, Cobble J, Brambrink E, Fuchs J, Audebert P, Habs D. Analytical model for ion acceleration by high-intensity laser pulses. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2006; 97:045005. [PMID: 16907584 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.97.045005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
We present a general expression for the maximum ion energy observed in experiments with thin foils irradiated by high-intensity laser pulses. The analytical model is based on a radially confined surface charge set up by laser accelerated electrons on the target rear side. The only input parameters are the properties of the laser pulse and the target thickness. The predicted maximum ion energy and the optimal laser pulse duration are supported by dedicated experiments for a broad range of different ions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Schreiber
- Department für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Garching, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Manclossi M, Santos JJ, Batani D, Faure J, Debayle A, Tikhonchuk VT, Malka V. Study of ultraintense laser-produced fast-electron propagation and filamentation in insulator and metal foil targets by optical emission diagnostics. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2006; 96:125002. [PMID: 16605915 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.125002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2005] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The transport of an intense electron beam produced by ultrahigh intensity laser pulses through metals and insulators has been studied by high resolution imaging of the optical emission from the targets. In metals, the emission is mainly due to coherent transition radiation, while in plastic, it is due to the Cerenkov effect and it is orders of magnitude larger. It is also observed that in the case of insulators the fast-electron beam undergoes strong filamentation and the number of filaments increases with the target thickness. This filamented behavior in insulators is due to the instability of the ionization front related to the electric field ionization process. The filamentary structures characteristic growth rate and characteristic transversal scale are in agreement with analytical predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Manclossi
- Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, UMR 7639, ENSTA-CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique, 91761 Palaiseau, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
|
37
|
Bret A, Firpo MC, Deutsch C. Electromagnetic instabilities for relativistic beam-plasma interaction in whole k space: nonrelativistic beam and plasma temperature effects. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2005; 72:016403. [PMID: 16090095 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.72.016403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2004] [Revised: 04/11/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
For the system formed by a relativistic electron beam and its plasma return current, we investigate the effects of both transverse and parallel beam and plasma temperatures on the linear stability of collective electromagnetic modes. We focus on nonrelativistic temperatures and wave-vector orientations ranging from two-stream to filamentation instabilities. Water-bag distributions are used to model temperature effects and we discuss their relevance. Labeling Theta(k) the angle between the beam and the wave vector, one or two critical angles Theta(c,i) are determined exactly and separate the k space into two parts. Modes with Theta(k) < Theta(c) =min ( Theta(c,i)) are quasilongitudinal and poorly affected by any kind of temperature. Modes having Theta(k) > Theta(c) are very sensitive to transverse beam and plasma parallel temperatures. Also, parallel plasma temperature can trigger a transition between the beam-dependent filamentation instability (Theta(k) =pi/2) and the plasma-temperature-dependent Weibel instability so that two-stream, filamentation, and Weibel instabilities are eventually closely connected to each other. The maximum growth rate being reached for a mode with Theta(k) < Theta(c), no temperature of any kind can significantly reduce it in the nonrelativistic temperature regime.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Bret
- ETSI Industriales, Universidad de Castilla--La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jung R, Osterholz J, Löwenbrück K, Kiselev S, Pretzler G, Pukhov A, Willi O, Kar S, Borghesi M, Nazarov W, Karsch S, Clarke R, Neely D. Study of electron-beam propagation through preionized dense foam plasmas. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 94:195001. [PMID: 16090179 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.195001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2004] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The transport of an intense electron-beam produced by the Vulcan petawatt laser through dense plasmas has been studied by imaging with high resolution the optical emission due to electron transit through the rear side of coated foam targets. It is observed that the MeV-electron beam undergoes strong filamentation and the filaments organize themselves in a ringlike structure. This behavior has been modeled using particle-in-cell simulations of the laser-plasma interaction as well as of the transport of the electron beam through the preionized plasma. In the simulations the filamentary structures are reproduced and attributed to the Weibel instability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Jung
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Fuchs J, Sentoku Y, Karsch S, Cobble J, Audebert P, Kemp A, Nikroo A, Antici P, Brambrink E, Blazevic A, Campbell EM, Fernández JC, Gauthier JC, Geissel M, Hegelich M, Pépin H, Popescu H, Renard-LeGalloudec N, Roth M, Schreiber J, Stephens R, Cowan TE. Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 94:045004. [PMID: 15783566 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.045004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclear activation techniques, we find that rear-surface acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency than front-surface acceleration. Our observations are well reproduced by realistic particle-in-cell simulations, and we predict optimal criteria for future applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Fuchs
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wei MS, Beg FN, Clark EL, Dangor AE, Evans RG, Gopal A, Ledingham KWD, McKenna P, Norreys PA, Tatarakis M, Zepf M, Krushelnick K. Observations of the filamentation of high-intensity laser-produced electron beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2004; 70:056412. [PMID: 15600770 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.70.056412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2003] [Revised: 07/30/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Filamented electron beams have been observed to be emitted from the rear of thin solid targets irradiated by a high-intensity short-pulse laser when there is low-density plasma present at the back of the target. These observations are consistent with a laser-generated beam of relativistic electrons propagating through the target, which is subsequently fragmented by a Weibel-like instability in the low-density plasma at the rear. These measurements are in agreement with particle-in-cell simulations and theory, since the filamentation instability is predicted to be dramatically enhanced when the electron beam density approaches that of the background plasma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M S Wei
- The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bret A, Firpo MC, Deutsch C. Collective electromagnetic modes for beam-plasma interaction in the whole k space. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2004; 70:046401. [PMID: 15600524 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.70.046401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2003] [Revised: 03/09/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the linear stability of the system formed by an electron beam and its return plasma current within a general framework, namely, for any orientation of the wave vector k with respect to the beam and without any a priori assumption on the orientation of the electric field with respect to k . We apply this formalism to three configurations: cold beam and cold plasma, cold beam and hot plasma, and cold relativistic beam and hot plasma. We proceed to the identification and systematic study of the two branches of the electromagnetic dispersion relation. One pertains to Weibel-like beam modes with transverse electric proper waves. The other one refers to electric proper waves belonging to the plane formed by k and the beam, it divides between Weibel-like beam modes and a branch sweeping from longitudinal two-stream modes to purely transverse filamentation modes. For this latter branch, we thoroughly investigate the intermediate regime between two-stream and filamentation instabilities for arbitrary wave vectors. When some plasma temperature is allowed for, the system exhibits a critical angle at which waves are unstable for every k . Besides, in the relativistic regime, the most unstable mode on this branch is reached for an oblique wave vector. This study is especially relevant to the fast ignition scenario as its generality could help clarify some confusing linear issues of present concern. This is a prerequisite towards more sophisticated nonlinear treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Bret
- Laboratoire de Physique des Gaz et des Plasmas (CNRS-UMR 8578), Université Paris XI, Bâtiment 210, 91405 Orsay cedex, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cowan TE, Fuchs J, Ruhl H, Kemp A, Audebert P, Roth M, Stephens R, Barton I, Blazevic A, Brambrink E, Cobble J, Fernández J, Gauthier JC, Geissel M, Hegelich M, Kaae J, Karsch S, Le Sage GP, Letzring S, Manclossi M, Meyroneinc S, Newkirk A, Pépin H, Renard-LeGalloudec N. Ultralow emittance, multi-MeV proton beams from a laser virtual-cathode plasma accelerator. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2004; 92:204801. [PMID: 15169357 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.92.204801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The laminarity of high-current multi-MeV proton beams produced by irradiating thin metallic foils with ultraintense lasers has been measured. For proton energies >10 MeV, the transverse and longitudinal emittance are, respectively, <0.004 mm mrad and <10(-4) eV s, i.e., at least 100-fold and may be as much as 10(4)-fold better than conventional accelerator beams. The fast acceleration being electrostatic from an initially cold surface, only collisions with the accelerating fast electrons appear to limit the beam laminarity. The ion beam source size is measured to be <15 microm (FWHM) for proton energies >10 MeV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T E Cowan
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|