1
|
Streeter MJV, Colgan C, Carderelli J, Ma Y, Cavanagh N, Los EE, Ahmed H, Antoine AF, Audet T, Balcazar MD, Calvin L, Kettle B, Mangles SPD, Najmudin Z, Rajeev PP, Symes DR, Thomas AGR, Sarri G. Narrow bandwidth, low-emittance positron beams from a laser-wakefield accelerator. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6001. [PMID: 38472232 PMCID: PMC10933426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid progress that plasma wakefield accelerators are experiencing is now posing the question as to whether they could be included in the design of the next generation of high-energy electron-positron colliders. However, the typical structure of the accelerating wakefields presents challenging complications for positron acceleration. Despite seminal proof-of-principle experiments and theoretical proposals, experimental research in plasma-based acceleration of positrons is currently limited by the scarcity of positron beams suitable to seed a plasma accelerator. Here, we report on the first experimental demonstration of a laser-driven source of ultra-relativistic positrons with sufficient spectral and spatial quality to be injected in a plasma accelerator. Our results indicate, in agreement with numerical simulations, selection and transport of positron beamlets containingN e + ≥ 10 5 positrons in a 5% bandwidth around 600 MeV, with femtosecond-scale duration and micron-scale normalised emittance. Particle-in-cell simulations show that positron beams of this kind can be guided and accelerated in a laser-driven plasma accelerator, with favourable scalings to further increase overall charge and energy using PW-scale lasers. The results presented here demonstrate the possibility of performing experimental studies of positron acceleration in a laser-driven wakefield accelerator.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J V Streeter
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - C Colgan
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - J Carderelli
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - Y Ma
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - N Cavanagh
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - E E Los
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - H Ahmed
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - A F Antoine
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - T Audet
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - M D Balcazar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - L Calvin
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - B Kettle
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - P P Rajeev
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - D R Symes
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sandberg R, Thomas AGR. Dephasingless plasma wakefield photon acceleration. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:025210. [PMID: 38491702 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.025210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Sandberg and Thomas [Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 085001 (2023)0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.130.085001] proposed a scheme to generate ultrashort, high-energy pulses of XUV photons though dephasingless photon acceleration in a beam-driven plasma wakefield. An ultrashort laser pulse is placed in the plasma wake behind a relativistic electron bunch such that it experiences a comoving negative density gradient and therefore shifts up in frequency. Using a tapered density profile provides phase-matching between driver and witness pulses. In this paper, we give the details of the wakefield solutions and phase-matching conditions used to generate the phase-matching density profile. The short, high-density, and weak driver limits are considered. We show, explicitly, the numerical algorithm used to calculate the density profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Sandberg
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
von der Leyen MW, Holloway J, Ma Y, Campbell PT, Aboushelbaya R, Qian Q, Antoine AF, Balcazar M, Cardarelli J, Feng Q, Fitzgarrald R, Hou BX, Kalinchenko G, Latham J, Maksimchuk AM, McKelvey A, Nees J, Ouatu I, Paddock RW, Spiers B, Thomas AGR, Timmis R, Krushelnick K, Norreys PA. Observation of Monoenergetic Electrons from Two-Pulse Ionization Injection in Quasilinear Laser Wakefields. Phys Rev Lett 2023; 130:105002. [PMID: 36962018 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.105002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The generation of low emittance electron beams from laser-driven wakefields is crucial for the development of compact x-ray sources. Here, we show new results for the injection and acceleration of quasimonoenergetic electron beams in low amplitude wakefields experimentally and using simulations. This is achieved by using two laser pulses decoupling the wakefield generation from the electron trapping via ionization injection. The injection duration, which affects the beam charge and energy spread, is found to be tunable by adjusting the relative pulse delay. By changing the polarization of the injector pulse, reducing the ionization volume, the electron spectra of the accelerated electron bunches are improved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M W von der Leyen
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
- John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Denys Wilkinson Building, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
| | - J Holloway
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Y Ma
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - P T Campbell
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - R Aboushelbaya
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Q Qian
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A F Antoine
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - M Balcazar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J Cardarelli
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Q Feng
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - R Fitzgarrald
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - B X Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - G Kalinchenko
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J Latham
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A M Maksimchuk
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A McKelvey
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - I Ouatu
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - R W Paddock
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - B Spiers
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - R Timmis
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - P A Norreys
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
- John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Denys Wilkinson Building, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sandberg RT, Thomas AGR. Photon Acceleration from Optical to XUV. Phys Rev Lett 2023; 130:085001. [PMID: 36898096 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.085001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The propagating density gradients of a plasma wakefield may frequency upshift a trailing witness laser pulse, a process known as "photon acceleration." In uniform plasma, the witness laser will eventually dephase because of group delay. We find phase-matching conditions for the pulse using a tailored density profile. An analytic solution for a 1D nonlinear plasma wake with an electron beam driver indicates that, even though the plasma density decreases, the frequency shift reaches no asymptotic limit, i.e., is unlimited provided the wake can be sustained. In fully self-consistent 1D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, more than 40 times frequency shifts were demonstrated. In quasi-3D PIC simulations, frequency shifts up to 10 times were observed, limited only by simulation resolution and nonoptimized driver evolution. The pulse energy increases in this process, by a factor of 5, and the pulse is guided and temporally compressed by group velocity dispersion, resulting in the resulting extreme ultraviolet laser pulse having near-relativistic (a_{0}∼0.4) intensity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R T Sandberg
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shi T, Sun D, Jovanovic I, Kalinchenko G, Krushelnick K, Kuranz CC, Maksimchuk A, Nees J, Thomas AGR, Willingale L. Optimization of the electron beam dump for a GeV-class laser electron accelerator. Appl Radiat Isot 2021; 176:109853. [PMID: 34298462 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The advances of laser-driven electron acceleration offer the promise of great reductions in the size of high-energy electron accelerator facilities. Accordingly, it is desirable to design compact radiation shielding for such facilities. A key component of radiation shielding is the high-energy electron beam dump. In an effort to optimize the electron beam dump design, different material combinations have been simulated with the FLUKA Monte Carlo code in the range of 1-40 GeV. The studied beam dump configurations consist of alternating layers of high-Z material (lead or iron) and low-Z material (high-density concrete or borated polyethylene) in either three-layer or five-layer structures. The designs of various beam dump configuration have been compared and it has been found that the iron and concrete stacking in a three-layer structure with a thick iron layer results in the lowest dose at 1, 10, and 40 GeV. The performance of the beam dump exhibits a strong dependence on the selected materials, the stacking method, the beam dump thickness, as well as the electron energy. This parametric study provides general insights that can be used for compact shielding design of future electron accelerator facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Shi
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - D Sun
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - I Jovanovic
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
| | - G Kalinchenko
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - K Krushelnick
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - C C Kuranz
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - A Maksimchuk
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - J Nees
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - A G R Thomas
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - L Willingale
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shalloo RJ, Dann SJD, Gruse JN, Underwood CID, Antoine AF, Arran C, Backhouse M, Baird CD, Balcazar MD, Bourgeois N, Cardarelli JA, Hatfield P, Kang J, Krushelnick K, Mangles SPD, Murphy CD, Lu N, Osterhoff J, Põder K, Rajeev PP, Ridgers CP, Rozario S, Selwood MP, Shahani AJ, Symes DR, Thomas AGR, Thornton C, Najmudin Z, Streeter MJV. Automation and control of laser wakefield accelerators using Bayesian optimization. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6355. [PMID: 33311487 PMCID: PMC7732832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Laser wakefield accelerators promise to revolutionize many areas of accelerator science. However, one of the greatest challenges to their widespread adoption is the difficulty in control and optimization of the accelerator outputs due to coupling between input parameters and the dynamic evolution of the accelerating structure. Here, we use machine learning techniques to automate a 100 MeV-scale accelerator, which optimized its outputs by simultaneously varying up to six parameters including the spectral and spatial phase of the laser and the plasma density and length. Most notably, the model built by the algorithm enabled optimization of the laser evolution that might otherwise have been missed in single-variable scans. Subtle tuning of the laser pulse shape caused an 80% increase in electron beam charge, despite the pulse length changing by just 1%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R J Shalloo
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - S J D Dann
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - J-N Gruse
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - C I D Underwood
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - A F Antoine
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - C Arran
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - M Backhouse
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - C D Baird
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - M D Balcazar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - N Bourgeois
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - J A Cardarelli
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - P Hatfield
- Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - J Kang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - C D Murphy
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - N Lu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - J Osterhoff
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Põder
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - P P Rajeev
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - C P Ridgers
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - S Rozario
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - M P Selwood
- Department of Physics, York Plasma Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - A J Shahani
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - D R Symes
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - C Thornton
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - M J V Streeter
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Campbell PT, Walsh CA, Russell BK, Chittenden JP, Crilly A, Fiksel G, Nilson PM, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K, Willingale L. Magnetic Signatures of Radiation-Driven Double Ablation Fronts. Phys Rev Lett 2020; 125:145001. [PMID: 33064539 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.125.145001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In experiments performed with the OMEGA EP laser system, magnetic field generation in double ablation fronts was observed. Proton radiography measured the strength, spatial profile, and temporal dynamics of self-generated magnetic fields as the target material was varied between plastic, aluminum, copper, and gold. Two distinct regions of magnetic field are generated in mid-Z targets-one produced by gradients from electron thermal transport and the second from radiation-driven gradients. Extended magnetohydrodynamic simulations including radiation transport reproduced key aspects of the experiment, including field generation and double ablation front formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P T Campbell
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - C A Walsh
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - B K Russell
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J P Chittenden
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - A Crilly
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - G Fiksel
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - P M Nilson
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - L Willingale
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sarri G, Schumaker W, Di Piazza A, Vargas M, Dromey B, Dieckmann ME, Chvykov V, Maksimchuk A, Yanovsky V, He ZH, Hou BX, Nees JA, Thomas AGR, Keitel CH, Zepf M, Krushelnick K. Sarri et al. Reply. Phys Rev Lett 2020; 124:179502. [PMID: 32412293 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.179502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - W Schumaker
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - A Di Piazza
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Vargas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - B Dromey
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - M E Dieckmann
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - V Chvykov
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - A Maksimchuk
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - V Yanovsky
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - Z H He
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - B X Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - J A Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - C H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Zepf
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ma Y, Seipt D, Hussein AE, Hakimi S, Beier NF, Hansen SB, Hinojosa J, Maksimchuk A, Nees J, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR, Dollar F. Polarization-Dependent Self-Injection by Above Threshold Ionization Heating in a Laser Wakefield Accelerator. Phys Rev Lett 2020; 124:114801. [PMID: 32242688 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.114801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report on the experimental observation of a decreased self-injection threshold by using laser pulses with circular polarization in laser wakefield acceleration experiments in a nonpreformed plasma, compared to the usually employed linear polarization. A significantly higher electron beam charge was also observed for circular polarization compared to linear polarization over a wide range of parameters. Theoretical analysis and quasi-3D particle-in-cell simulations reveal that the self-injection and hence the laser wakefield acceleration is polarization dependent and indicate a different injection mechanism for circularly polarized laser pulses, originating from larger momentum gain by electrons during above threshold ionization. This enables electrons to meet the trapping condition more easily, and the resulting higher plasma temperature was confirmed via spectroscopy of the XUV plasma emission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Ma
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - D Seipt
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A E Hussein
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - S Hakimi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - N F Beier
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - S B Hansen
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - J Hinojosa
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A Maksimchuk
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J Nees
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - F Dollar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kettle B, Gerstmayr E, Streeter MJV, Albert F, Baggott RA, Bourgeois N, Cole JM, Dann S, Falk K, Gallardo González I, Hussein AE, Lemos N, Lopes NC, Lundh O, Ma Y, Rose SJ, Spindloe C, Symes DR, Šmíd M, Thomas AGR, Watt R, Mangles SPD. Single-Shot Multi-keV X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Using an Ultrashort Laser-Wakefield Accelerator Source. Phys Rev Lett 2019; 123:254801. [PMID: 31922780 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.254801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Single-shot absorption measurements have been performed using the multi-keV x rays generated by a laser-wakefield accelerator. A 200 TW laser was used to drive a laser-wakefield accelerator in a mode which produced broadband electron beams with a maximum energy above 1 GeV and a broad divergence of ≈15 mrad FWHM. Betatron oscillations of these electrons generated 1.2±0.2×10^{6} photons/eV in the 5 keV region, with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 300∶1. This was sufficient to allow high-resolution x-ray absorption near-edge structure measurements at the K edge of a titanium sample in a single shot. We demonstrate that this source is capable of single-shot, simultaneous measurements of both the electron and ion distributions in matter heated to eV temperatures by comparison with density functional theory simulations. The unique combination of a high-flux, large bandwidth, few femtosecond duration x-ray pulse synchronized to a high-power laser will enable key advances in the study of ultrafast energetic processes such as electron-ion equilibration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Kettle
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - E Gerstmayr
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - M J V Streeter
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - F Albert
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - R A Baggott
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - N Bourgeois
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - J M Cole
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - S Dann
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - K Falk
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Physics of the ASCR, Na Slovance 1999/2, 182 21 Prague, Czech Republic
- Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - A E Hussein
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - N Lemos
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - N C Lopes
- GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, U.L., Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - O Lundh
- Department of Physics, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, S-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Y Ma
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - S J Rose
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - C Spindloe
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - D R Symes
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - M Šmíd
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - A G R Thomas
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - R Watt
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lin J, Ma Y, Schwartz R, Woodbury D, Nees JA, Mathis M, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K, Milchberg H. Adaptive control of laser-wakefield accelerators driven by mid-IR laser pulses. Opt Express 2019; 27:10912-10923. [PMID: 31052944 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.010912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There has been growing interest both in studying high intensity ultrafast laser plasma interactions with adaptive control systems as well as using long wavelength driver beams. We demonstrate the coherent control of the dynamics of laser-wakefield acceleration driven by ultrashort (∼ 100 fs) mid-infrared (∼ 3.9 μm) laser pulses. The critical density at this wavelength is 7.3 × 1019 cm-3, which is achievable with an ordinary gas target system. Interactions between mid-infrared laser pulses and such near-critical-density plasma may be beneficial due to much higher absorption of laser energy. In addition, the normalized vector potential of the laser field a0 increases with longer laser wavelength, lowering the required peak laser intensity to drive non-linear laser-wakefield acceleration. Here, MeV level, collimated electron beams with non-thermal, peaked energy spectra are generated. Optimization of electron beam qualities are realized through adaptive control of the laser wavefront. A genetic algorithm controlling a deformable mirror improves the electron total charge, energy spectra, beam pointing and stability at various plasma density profiles. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that the optimal wavefront causes an earlier injection on the density up-ramp and thus higher energy gain as well as less filamentation during the interaction, which leads to the improvement in electron beam collimation and energy spectra.
Collapse
|
12
|
Hussein AE, Senabulya N, Ma Y, Streeter MJV, Kettle B, Dann SJD, Albert F, Bourgeois N, Cipiccia S, Cole JM, Finlay O, Gerstmayr E, González IG, Higginbotham A, Jaroszynski DA, Falk K, Krushelnick K, Lemos N, Lopes NC, Lumsdon C, Lundh O, Mangles SPD, Najmudin Z, Rajeev PP, Schlepütz CM, Shahzad M, Smid M, Spesyvtsev R, Symes DR, Vieux G, Willingale L, Wood JC, Shahani AJ, Thomas AGR. Laser-wakefield accelerators for high-resolution X-ray imaging of complex microstructures. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3249. [PMID: 30824838 PMCID: PMC6397215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Laser-wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) are high acceleration-gradient plasma-based particle accelerators capable of producing ultra-relativistic electron beams. Within the strong focusing fields of the wakefield, accelerated electrons undergo betatron oscillations, emitting a bright pulse of X-rays with a micrometer-scale source size that may be used for imaging applications. Non-destructive X-ray phase contrast imaging and tomography of heterogeneous materials can provide insight into their processing, structure, and performance. To demonstrate the imaging capability of X-rays from an LWFA we have examined an irregular eutectic in the aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) system. The lamellar spacing of the Al-Si eutectic microstructure is on the order of a few micrometers, thus requiring high spatial resolution. We present comparisons between the sharpness and spatial resolution in phase contrast images of this eutectic alloy obtained via X-ray phase contrast imaging at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) synchrotron and X-ray projection microscopy via an LWFA source. An upper bound on the resolving power of 2.7 ± 0.3 μm of the LWFA source in this experiment was measured. These results indicate that betatron X-rays from laser wakefield acceleration can provide an alternative to conventional synchrotron sources for high resolution imaging of eutectics and, more broadly, complex microstructures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A E Hussein
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA.
| | - N Senabulya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - Y Ma
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA.,Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.,The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK
| | - M J V Streeter
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.,The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.,The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - B Kettle
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S J D Dann
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.,The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK
| | - F Albert
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NIF and Photon Sciences, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - N Bourgeois
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - S Cipiccia
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - J M Cole
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - O Finlay
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.,The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK
| | - E Gerstmayr
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - A Higginbotham
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - D A Jaroszynski
- The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - K Falk
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany.,Institute of Physics of the ASCR, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - N Lemos
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NIF and Photon Sciences, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
| | - N C Lopes
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.,GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Instituto Superior Técnico, U.L., Lisboa, 1049-001, Portugal
| | - C Lumsdon
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - O Lundh
- Department of Physics, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, S-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - P P Rajeev
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - C M Schlepütz
- Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - M Shahzad
- The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - M Smid
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328, Dresden, Germany.,ELI Beamlines, Institute of Physics of the ASCR, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - R Spesyvtsev
- The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - D R Symes
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - G Vieux
- The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - L Willingale
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - J C Wood
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - A J Shahani
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA.,Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB, UK.,The Cockcroft Institute, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Behm KT, Cole JM, Joglekar AS, Gerstmayr E, Wood JC, Baird CD, Blackburn TG, Duff M, Harvey C, Ilderton A, Kuschel S, Mangles SPD, Marklund M, McKenna P, Murphy CD, Najmudin Z, Poder K, Ridgers CP, Sarri G, Samarin GM, Symes D, Warwick J, Zepf M, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR. A spectrometer for ultrashort gamma-ray pulses with photon energies greater than 10 MeV. Rev Sci Instrum 2018; 89:113303. [PMID: 30501337 DOI: 10.1063/1.5056248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We present a design for a pixelated scintillator based gamma-ray spectrometer for non-linear inverse Compton scattering experiments. By colliding a laser wakefield accelerated electron beam with a tightly focused, intense laser pulse, gamma-ray photons up to 100 MeV energies and with few femtosecond duration may be produced. To measure the energy spectrum and angular distribution, a 33 × 47 array of cesium-iodide crystals was oriented such that the 47 crystal length axis was parallel to the gamma-ray beam and the 33 crystal length axis was oriented in the vertical direction. Using an iterative deconvolution method similar to the YOGI code, modeling of the scintillator response using GEANT4 and fitting to a quantum Monte Carlo calculated photon spectrum, we are able to extract the gamma ray spectra generated by the inverse Compton interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K T Behm
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - J M Cole
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - A S Joglekar
- Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - E Gerstmayr
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - J C Wood
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - C D Baird
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - T G Blackburn
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - M Duff
- SUPA Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - C Harvey
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A Ilderton
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - S Kuschel
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - M Marklund
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - P McKenna
- SUPA Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - C D Murphy
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - K Poder
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - C P Ridgers
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - G M Samarin
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - D Symes
- Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - J Warwick
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - M Zepf
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Warwick J, Dzelzainis T, Dieckmann ME, Schumaker W, Doria D, Romagnani L, Poder K, Cole JM, Alejo A, Yeung M, Krushelnick K, Mangles SPD, Najmudin Z, Reville B, Samarin GM, Symes DD, Thomas AGR, Borghesi M, Sarri G. Experimental Observation of a Current-Driven Instability in a Neutral Electron-Positron Beam. Phys Rev Lett 2017; 119:185002. [PMID: 29219555 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.119.185002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report on the first experimental observation of a current-driven instability developing in a quasineutral matter-antimatter beam. Strong magnetic fields (≥1 T) are measured, via means of a proton radiography technique, after the propagation of a neutral electron-positron beam through a background electron-ion plasma. The experimentally determined equipartition parameter of ε_{B}≈10^{-3} is typical of values inferred from models of astrophysical gamma-ray bursts, in which the relativistic flows are also expected to be pair dominated. The data, supported by particle-in-cell simulations and simple analytical estimates, indicate that these magnetic fields persist in the background plasma for thousands of inverse plasma frequencies. The existence of such long-lived magnetic fields can be related to analog astrophysical systems, such as those prevalent in lepton-dominated jets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Warwick
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - T Dzelzainis
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - M E Dieckmann
- Department of Science and Technology (ITN), Linköping University, Campus Norrköping, 60174 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - W Schumaker
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA
| | - D Doria
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - L Romagnani
- LULI, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - K Poder
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom
| | - J M Cole
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom
| | - A Alejo
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - M Yeung
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 481099-2099, USA
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom
| | - B Reville
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - G M Samarin
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - D D Symes
- Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 481099-2099, USA
- Physics Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom
| | - M Borghesi
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hah J, Jiang W, He ZH, Nees JA, Hou B, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K. Enhancement of THz generation by feedback-optimized wavefront manipulation. Opt Express 2017; 25:17271-17279. [PMID: 28789220 DOI: 10.1364/oe.25.017271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We apply active feedback optimization methods to pyroelectric measurements of a THz signal generated by four wave mixing in air using 1 mJ to 12 mJ, 35 fs laser pulses operating at 12 kHz repetition rate. A genetic algorithm, using the THz signal as a figure of merit, determines the voltage settings to a deformable mirror and results in up to a 6 fold improvement in the THz signal compared with settings optimized for the best focus. It is possible to optimize for different THz generation processes using this technique.
Collapse
|
16
|
Walker PA, Alesini PD, Alexandrova AS, Anania MP, Andreev NE, Andriyash I, Aschikhin A, Assmann RW, Audet T, Bacci A, Barna IF, Beaton A, Beck A, Beluze A, Bernhard A, Bielawski S, Bisesto FG, Boedewadt J, Brandi F, Bringer O, Brinkmann R, Bründermann E, Büscher M, Bussmann M, Bussolino GC, Chance A, Chanteloup JC, Chen M, Chiadroni E, Cianchi A, Clarke J, Cole J, Couprie ME, Croia M, Cros B, Dale J, Dattoli G, Delerue N, Delferriere O, Delinikolas P, Dias J, Dorda U, Ertel K, Ferran Pousa A, Ferrario M, Filippi F, Fils J, Fiorito R, Fonseca RA, Galimberti M, Gallo A, Garzella D, Gastinel P, Giove D, Giribono A, Gizzi LA, Grüner FJ, Habib AF, Haefner LC, Heinemann T, Hidding B, Holzer BJ, Hooker SM, Hosokai T, Irman A, Jaroszynski DA, Jaster-Merz S, Joshi C, Kaluza MC, Kando M, Karger OS, Karsch S, Khazanov E, Khikhlukha D, Knetsch A, Kocon D, Koester P, Kononenko O, Korn G, Kostyukov I, Labate L, Lechner C, Leemans WP, Lehrach A, Li FY, Li X, Libov V, Lifschitz A, Litvinenko V, Lu W, Maier AR, Malka V, Manahan GG, Mangles SPD, Marchetti B, Marocchino A, Martinez de la Ossa A, Martins JL, Massimo F, Mathieu F, Maynard G, Mehrling TJ, Molodozhentsev AY, Mosnier A, Mostacci A, Mueller AS, Najmudin Z, Nghiem PAP, Nguyen F, Niknejadi P, Osterhoff J, Papadopoulos D, Patrizi B, Pattathil R, Petrillo V, Pocsai MA, Poder K, Pompili R, Pribyl L, Pugacheva D, Romeo S, Rossi AR, Roussel E, Sahai AA, Scherkl P, Schramm U, Schroeder CB, Schwindling J, Scifo J, Serafini L, Sheng ZM, Silva LO, Silva T, Simon C, Sinha U, Specka A, Streeter MJV, Svystun EN, Symes D, Szwaj C, Tauscher G, Thomas AGR, Thompson N, Toci G, Tomassini P, Vaccarezza C, Vannini M, Vieira JM, Villa F, Wahlström CG, Walczak R, Weikum MK, Welsch CP, Wiemann C, Wolfenden J, Xia G, Yabashi M, Yu L, Zhu J, Zigler A. Horizon 2020 EuPRAXIA design study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/874/1/012029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
17
|
Abstract
Particle accelerators have made an enormous impact in all fields of natural sciences, from elementary particle physics, to the imaging of proteins and the development of new pharmaceuticals. Modern light sources have advanced many fields by providing extraordinarily bright, short X-ray pulses. Here we present a novel numerical study, demonstrating that existing third generation light sources can significantly enhance the brightness and photon energy of their X-ray pulses by undulating their beams within plasma wakefields. This study shows that a three order of magnitude increase in X-ray brightness and over an order of magnitude increase in X-ray photon energy is achieved by passing a 3 GeV electron beam through a two-stage plasma insertion device. The production mechanism micro-bunches the electron beam and ensures the pulses are radially polarised on creation. We also demonstrate that the micro-bunched electron beam is itself an effective wakefield driver that can potentially accelerate a witness electron beam up to 6 GeV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Holloway
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. .,John Adams Institute, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, United Kingdom. .,Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom.
| | - P A Norreys
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.,Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - A G R Thomas
- Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - R Bartolini
- John Adams Institute, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, United Kingdom.,Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Ave, Didcot, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - R Bingham
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom.,Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Strathclyde, G4 0NG, United Kingdom
| | - J Nydell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - R M G M Trines
- Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - R Walker
- John Adams Institute, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, United Kingdom.,Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Ave, Didcot, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - M Wing
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
For certain classes of relativistic plasma problems, performing numerical calculations in a Lorentz boosted frame can be even more advantageous for gridded momentum-space-time (e.g., Vlasov) problems than has been demonstrated for position space-time problems and result in a potential reduction in the number of calculations needed by a factor ∼γ_{b}^{6}. In this study, the Lorentz boosted frame technique was applied to the problem of warm wave-breaking limits of plasma waves with relativistic phase velocity. The numerical results are consistent with analytic conclusions. By appropriate normalization and for sufficiently warm plasma, the dynamics for the Vlasov equation in different Lorentz frames were found to be independent of γ_{p}.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA; Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA; Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA; and Physics Department, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
He ZH, Beaurepaire B, Nees JA, Gallé G, Scott SA, Pérez JRS, Lagally MG, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR, Faure J. Capturing Structural Dynamics in Crystalline Silicon Using Chirped Electrons from a Laser Wakefield Accelerator. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36224. [PMID: 27824086 PMCID: PMC5099950 DOI: 10.1038/srep36224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in laser wakefield acceleration has led to the emergence of a new generation of electron and X-ray sources that may have enormous benefits for ultrafast science. These novel sources promise to become indispensable tools for the investigation of structural dynamics on the femtosecond time scale, with spatial resolution on the atomic scale. Here, we demonstrate the use of laser-wakefield-accelerated electron bunches for time-resolved electron diffraction measurements of the structural dynamics of single-crystal silicon nano-membranes pumped by an ultrafast laser pulse. In our proof-of-concept study, we resolve the silicon lattice dynamics on a picosecond time scale by deflecting the momentum-time correlated electrons in the diffraction peaks with a static magnetic field to obtain the time-dependent diffraction efficiency. Further improvements may lead to femtosecond temporal resolution, with negligible pump-probe jitter being possible with future laser-wakefield-accelerator ultrafast-electron-diffraction schemes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z-H He
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099 USA
| | - B Beaurepaire
- LOA, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| | - J A Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099 USA
| | - G Gallé
- LOA, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| | - S A Scott
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | | | - M G Lagally
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099 USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099 USA.,Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancashire, LA1 4YB, UK
| | - J Faure
- LOA, ENSTA ParisTech, CNRS, École polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhao TZ, Behm K, Dong CF, Davoine X, Kalmykov SY, Petrov V, Chvykov V, Cummings P, Hou B, Maksimchuk A, Nees JA, Yanovsky V, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K. High-Flux Femtosecond X-Ray Emission from Controlled Generation of Annular Electron Beams in a Laser Wakefield Accelerator. Phys Rev Lett 2016; 117:094801. [PMID: 27610860 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.117.094801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Annular quasimonoenergetic electron beams with a mean energy in the range 200-400 MeV and charge on the order of several picocoulombs were generated in a laser wakefield accelerator and subsequently accelerated using a plasma afterburner in a two-stage gas cell. Generation of these beams is associated with injection occurring on the density down ramp between the stages. This well-localized injection produces a bunch of electrons performing coherent betatron oscillations in the wakefield, resulting in a significant increase in the x-ray yield. Annular electron distributions are detected in 40% of shots under optimal conditions. Simultaneous control of the pulse duration and frequency chirp enables optimization of both the energy and the energy spread of the annular beam and boosts the radiant energy per unit charge by almost an order of magnitude. These well-defined annular distributions of electrons are a promising source of high-brightness laser plasma-based x rays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Z Zhao
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - K Behm
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - C F Dong
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - X Davoine
- CEA DAM DIF, Bruyères-le-Châtel, 91297 Arpajon, France
| | - S Y Kalmykov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0299, USA
| | - V Petrov
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - V Chvykov
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - P Cummings
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - B Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A Maksimchuk
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J A Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - V Yanovsky
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
We present nanosecond time-scale Vlasov-Fokker-Planck-Maxwell modeling of magnetized plasma transport and dynamics in a hohlraum with an applied external magnetic field, under conditions similar to recent experiments. Self-consistent modeling of the kinetic electron momentum equation allows for a complete treatment of the heat flow equation and Ohm's law, including Nernst advection of magnetic fields. In addition to showing the prevalence of nonlocal behavior, we demonstrate that effects such as anomalous heat flow are induced by inverse bremsstrahlung heating. We show magnetic field amplification up to a factor of 3 from Nernst compression into the hohlraum wall. The magnetic field is also expelled towards the hohlraum axis due to Nernst advection faster than frozen-in flux would suggest. Nonlocality contributes to the heat flow towards the hohlraum axis and results in an augmented Nernst advection mechanism that is included self-consistently through kinetic modeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Joglekar
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - C P Ridgers
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - R J Kingham
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom
| | - A G R Thomas
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
He ZH, Hou B, Lebailly V, Nees JA, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR. Coherent control of plasma dynamics. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7156. [PMID: 25975737 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Coherent control of a system involves steering an interaction to a final coherent state by controlling the phase of an applied field. Plasmas support coherent wave structures that can be generated by intense laser fields. Here, we demonstrate the coherent control of plasma dynamics in a laser wakefield electron acceleration experiment. A genetic algorithm is implemented using a deformable mirror with the electron beam signal as feedback, which allows a heuristic search for the optimal wavefront under laser-plasma conditions that is not known a priori. We are able to improve both the electron beam charge and angular distribution by an order of magnitude. These improvements do not simply correlate with having the 'best' focal spot, as the highest quality vacuum focal spot produces a greatly inferior electron beam, but instead correspond to the particular laser phase front that steers the plasma wave to a final state with optimal accelerating fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z-H He
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - B Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - V Lebailly
- Polytech Paris-Sud-Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - J A Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
He ZH, Nees JA, Hou B, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR. Ionization-induced self-compression of tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses. Phys Rev Lett 2014; 113:263904. [PMID: 25615338 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.263904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As lasers become progressively higher in power, optical damage thresholds will become a limiting factor. Using the nonlinear optics of plasma may be a way to circumvent these limits. Here, we present a new self-compression mechanism for high-power, femtosecond laser pulses based on geometrical focusing and three dimensional spatiotemporal reshaping in an ionizing plasma. By propagating tightly focused, 10-mJ femtosecond laser pulses through a 100-μm gas jet, the interplay between ionization gradients, focusing, and diffraction of the light pulse leads to stable and uniform self-compression of the pulse, while maintaining a high-energy throughput and excellent refocusability. Self-compression down to 16 fs from an original 36-fs pulse is measured using second-harmonic-generation frequency-resolved optical gating. Using this mechanism, we are able to maintain a high transmission (>88%) such that the pulse peak power is doubled. Three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to support our interpretation of the experimental observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z-H He
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - J A Nees
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - B Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sarri G, Corvan DJ, Schumaker W, Cole JM, Di Piazza A, Ahmed H, Harvey C, Keitel CH, Krushelnick K, Mangles SPD, Najmudin Z, Symes D, Thomas AGR, Yeung M, Zhao Z, Zepf M. Ultrahigh Brilliance Multi-MeV γ-Ray Beams from Nonlinear Relativistic Thomson Scattering. Phys Rev Lett 2014; 113:224801. [PMID: 25494074 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.224801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We report on the generation of a narrow divergence (θ_{γ}<2.5 mrad), multi-MeV (E_{max}≈18 MeV) and ultrahigh peak brilliance (>1.8×10^{20} photons s^{-1} mm^{-2} mrad^{-2} 0.1% BW) γ-ray beam from the scattering of an ultrarelativistic laser-wakefield accelerated electron beam in the field of a relativistically intense laser (dimensionless amplitude a_{0}≈2). The spectrum of the generated γ-ray beam is measured, with MeV resolution, seamlessly from 6 to 18 MeV, giving clear evidence of the onset of nonlinear relativistic Thomson scattering. To the best of our knowledge, this photon source has the highest peak brilliance in the multi-MeV regime ever reported in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - D J Corvan
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - W Schumaker
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - J M Cole
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - A Di Piazza
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H Ahmed
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - C Harvey
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - C H Keitel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - K Krushelnick
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - S P D Mangles
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Z Najmudin
- The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - D Symes
- Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - A G R Thomas
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - M Yeung
- Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Z Zhao
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | - M Zepf
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Joglekar AS, Thomas AGR, Fox W, Bhattacharjee A. Magnetic reconnection in plasma under inertial confinement fusion conditions driven by heat flux effects in Ohm's law. Phys Rev Lett 2014; 112:105004. [PMID: 24679302 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.112.105004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the interaction of high-power laser beams with solid density plasma there are a number of mechanisms that generate strong magnetic fields. Such fields subsequently inhibit or redirect electron flows, but can themselves be advected by heat fluxes, resulting in complex interplay between thermal transport and magnetic fields. We show that for heating by multiple laser spots reconnection of magnetic field lines can occur, mediated by these heat fluxes, using a fully implicit 2D Vlasov-Fokker-Planck code. Under such conditions, the reconnection rate is dictated by heat flows rather than Alfvènic flows. We find that this mechanism is only relevant in a high β plasma. However, the Hall parameter ωcτei can be large so that thermal transport is strongly modified by these magnetic fields, which can impact longer time scale temperature homogeneity and ion dynamics in the system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Joglekar
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - A G R Thomas
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - W Fox
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA
| | - A Bhattacharjee
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, P.O. Box 451, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sarri G, Schumaker W, Di Piazza A, Vargas M, Dromey B, Dieckmann ME, Chvykov V, Maksimchuk A, Yanovsky V, He ZH, Hou BX, Nees JA, Thomas AGR, Keitel CH, Zepf M, Krushelnick K. Table-top laser-based source of femtosecond, collimated, ultrarelativistic positron beams. Phys Rev Lett 2013; 110:255002. [PMID: 23829742 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.255002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The generation of ultrarelativistic positron beams with short duration (τ(e+) ≃ 30 fs), small divergence (θ(e+) ≃ 3 mrad), and high density (n(e+) ≃ 10(14)-10(15) cm(-3)) from a fully optical setup is reported. The detected positron beam propagates with a high-density electron beam and γ rays of similar spectral shape and peak energy, thus closely resembling the structure of an astrophysical leptonic jet. It is envisaged that this experimental evidence, besides the intrinsic relevance to laser-driven particle acceleration, may open the pathway for the small-scale study of astrophysical leptonic jets in the laboratory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Sarri
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dollar F, Cummings P, Chvykov V, Willingale L, Vargas M, Yanovsky V, Zulick C, Maksimchuk A, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K. Scaling high-order harmonic generation from laser-solid interactions to ultrahigh intensity. Phys Rev Lett 2013; 110:175002. [PMID: 23679739 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.175002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Coherent x-ray beams with a subfemtosecond (<10(-15) s) pulse duration will enable measurements of fundamental atomic processes in a completely new regime. High-order harmonic generation (HOHG) using short pulse (<100 fs) infrared lasers focused to intensities surpassing 10(18) W cm(-2) onto a solid density plasma is a promising means of generating such short pulses. Critical to the relativistic oscillating mirror mechanism is the steepness of the plasma density gradient at the reflection point, characterized by a scale length, which can strongly influence the harmonic generation mechanism. It is shown that for intensities in excess of 10(21) W cm(-2) an optimum density ramp scale length exists that balances an increase in efficiency with a growth of parametric plasma wave instabilities. We show that for these higher intensities the optimal scale length is c/ω0, for which a variety of HOHG properties are optimized, including total conversion efficiency, HOHG divergence, and their power law scaling. Particle-in-cell simulations show striking evidence of the HOHG loss mechanism through parametric instabilities and relativistic self-phase modulation, which affect the produced spectra and conversion efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Dollar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Schumaker W, Nakanii N, McGuffey C, Zulick C, Chyvkov V, Dollar F, Habara H, Kalintchenko G, Maksimchuk A, Tanaka KA, Thomas AGR, Yanovsky V, Krushelnick K. Ultrafast electron radiography of magnetic fields in high-intensity laser-solid interactions. Phys Rev Lett 2013; 110:015003. [PMID: 23383801 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.110.015003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Using electron bunches generated by laser wakefield acceleration as a probe, the temporal evolution of magnetic fields generated by a 4 × 10(19) W/cm(2) ultrashort (30 fs) laser pulse focused on solid density targets is studied experimentally. Magnetic field strengths of order B(0) ~ 10(4) T are observed expanding at close to the speed of light from the interaction point of a high-contrast laser pulse with a 10-μm-thick aluminum foil to a maximum diameter of ~1 mm. The field dynamics are shown to agree with particle-in-cell simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Schumaker
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jolly SW, He Z, McGuffey C, Schumaker W, Krushelnick K, Thomas AGR. Stereolithography based method of creating custom gas density profile targets for high intensity laser-plasma experiments. Rev Sci Instrum 2012; 83:073503. [PMID: 22852691 DOI: 10.1063/1.4731782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Laser based stereolithography methods are shown to be useful for production of gas targets for high intensity laser-plasma interaction experiments. A cylindrically symmetric nozzle with an opening of approximately 100 μm and a periodic attachment of variable periodicity are outlined in detail with associated density profile characterization. Both components are durable within the limits of relevant experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S W Jolly
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Dollar F, Zulick C, Thomas AGR, Chvykov V, Davis J, Kalinchenko G, Matsuoka T, McGuffey C, Petrov GM, Willingale L, Yanovsky V, Maksimchuk A, Krushelnick K. Finite spot effects on radiation pressure acceleration from intense high-contrast laser interactions with thin targets. Phys Rev Lett 2012; 108:175005. [PMID: 22680876 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.175005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Short pulse laser interactions at intensities of 2×10(21) W cm(-2) with ultrahigh contrast (10(-15)) on submicrometer silicon nitride foils were studied experimentally by using linear and circular polarizations at normal incidence. It was observed that, as the target decreases in thickness, electron heating by the laser begins to occur for circular polarization leading to target normal sheath acceleration of contaminant ions, while at thicker targets no acceleration or electron heating is observed. For linear polarization, all targets showed exponential energy spreads with similar electron temperatures. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the heating is due to the rapid deformation of the target that occurs early in the interaction. These experiments demonstrate that finite spot size effects can severely restrict the regime suitable for radiation pressure acceleration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Dollar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Hou B, Easter JH, Nees JA, He Z, Thomas AGR, Krushelnick K. Compressor optimization with compressor-based multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (MIIPS). Opt Lett 2012; 37:1385-1387. [PMID: 22513694 DOI: 10.1364/ol.37.001385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (MIIPS) technique is modified to optimize the compressor settings of a chirped pulse amplification (CPA) laser system. Here, we use the compressor itself to perform the phase scan inherent in MIIPS measurement . A frequency-resolved optical gating measurement shows that the pulse duration of the compressor optimized using the modified MIIPS technique is 33.8 fs with a 2.24 rad temporal phase variation above 2% intensity. The measured time-bandwidth product is 0.60, which is close to that of transform-limited Gaussian pulse (0.44).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Hou
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Dollar F, Matsuoka T, Petrov GM, Thomas AGR, Bulanov SS, Chvykov V, Davis J, Kalinchenko G, McGuffey C, Willingale L, Yanovsky V, Maksimchuk A, Krushelnick K. Control of energy spread and dark current in proton and ion beams generated in high-contrast laser solid interactions. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 107:065003. [PMID: 21902332 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.065003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
By using temporal pulse shaping of high-contrast, short pulse laser interactions with solid density targets at intensities of 2 × 10(21) W cm(-2) at a 45° incident angle, we show that it is possible to reproducibly generate quasimonoenergetic proton and ion energy spectra. The presence of a short pulse prepulse 33 ps prior to the main pulse produced proton spectra with an energy spread between 25% and 60% (ΔE/E) with energy of several MeV, with light ions becoming quasimonoenergetic for 50 nm targets. When the prepulse was removed, the energy spectra was broad. Numerical simulations suggest that expansion of the rear-side contaminant layer allowed for density conditions that prevented the protons from being screened from the sheath field, thus providing a low energy cutoff in the observed spectra normal to the target surface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Dollar
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Willingale L, Nilson PM, Thomas AGR, Cobble J, Craxton RS, Maksimchuk A, Norreys PA, Sangster TC, Scott RHH, Stoeckl C, Zulick C, Krushelnick K. High-power, kilojoule class laser channeling in millimeter-scale underdense plasma. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 106:105002. [PMID: 21469797 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.105002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Experiments were performed using the Omega EP laser, operating at 740 J of energy in 8 ps (90 TW), which provides extreme conditions relevant to fast ignition studies. A carbon and hydrogen plasma plume was used as the underdense target and the interaction of the laser pulse propagating and channeling through the plasma was imaged using proton radiography. The early time expansion, channel evolution, filamentation, and self-correction of the channel was measured on a single shot via this method. A channel wall modulation was observed and attributed to surface waves. After around 50 ps, the channel had evolved to show bubblelike structures, which may be due to postsoliton remnants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Willingale
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Huntington CM, Thomas AGR, McGuffey C, Matsuoka T, Chvykov V, Kalintchenko G, Kneip S, Najmudin Z, Palmer C, Yanovsky V, Maksimchuk A, Drake RP, Katsouleas T, Krushelnick K. Current filamentation instability in laser wakefield accelerators. Phys Rev Lett 2011; 106:105001. [PMID: 21469796 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.106.105001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Experiments using an electron beam produced by laser-wakefield acceleration have shown that varying the overall beam-plasma interaction length results in current filamentation at lengths that exceed the laser depletion length in the plasma. Three-dimensional simulations show this to be a combination of hosing, beam erosion, and filamentation of the decelerated beam. This work suggests the ability to perform scaled experiments of astrophysical instabilities. Additionally, understanding the processes involved with electron beam propagation is essential to the development of wakefield accelerator applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C M Huntington
- Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kaluza MC, Schlenvoigt HP, Mangles SPD, Thomas AGR, Dangor AE, Schwoerer H, Mori WB, Najmudin Z, Krushelnick KM. Measurement of magnetic-field structures in a laser-wakefield accelerator. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 105:115002. [PMID: 20867577 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.115002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Experimental measurements of magnetic fields generated in the cavity of a self-injecting laser-wakefield accelerator are presented. Faraday rotation is used to determine the existence of multimegagauss fields, constrained to a transverse dimension comparable to the plasma wavelength ∼λp and several λp longitudinally. The fields are generated rapidly and move with the driving laser. In our experiment, the appearance of the magnetic fields is correlated with the production of relativistic electrons, indicating that they are inherently tied to the growth and wave breaking of the nonlinear plasma wave. This evolution is confirmed by numerical simulations, showing that these measurements provide insight into the wakefield evolution with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Kaluza
- Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kaluza MC, Mangles SPD, Thomas AGR, Najmudin Z, Dangor AE, Murphy CD, Collier JL, Divall EJ, Foster PS, Hooker CJ, Langley AJ, Smith J, Krushelnick K. Observation of a long-wavelength hosing modulation of a high-intensity laser pulse in underdense plasma. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 105:095003. [PMID: 20868169 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.095003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We report the first experimental observation of a long-wavelength hosing modulation of a high-intensity laser pulse. Side-view images of the scattered optical radiation at the fundamental wavelength of the laser reveal a transverse oscillation of the laser pulse during its propagation through underdense plasma. The wavelength of the oscillation λ(hosing) depends on the background plasma density n(e) and scales as λ(hosing)∼n(e)(-3/2). Comparisons with an analytical model and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations reveal that this laser hosing can be induced by a spatiotemporal asymmetry of the intensity distribution in the laser focus which can be caused by a misalignment of the parabolic focusing mirror or of the diffraction gratings in the pulse compressor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Kaluza
- The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Willingale L, Thomas AGR, Nilson PM, Kaluza MC, Bandyopadhyay S, Dangor AE, Evans RG, Fernandes P, Haines MG, Kamperidis C, Kingham RJ, Minardi S, Notley M, Ridgers CP, Rozmus W, Sherlock M, Tatarakis M, Wei MS, Najmudin Z, Krushelnick K. Fast advection of magnetic fields by hot electrons. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 105:095001. [PMID: 20868167 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.095001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Experiments where a laser-generated proton beam is used to probe the megagauss strength self-generated magnetic fields from a nanosecond laser interaction with an aluminum target are presented. At intensities of 10(15) W cm(-2) and under conditions of significant fast electron production and strong heat fluxes, the electron mean-free-path is long compared with the temperature gradient scale length and hence nonlocal transport is important for the dynamics of the magnetic field in the plasma. The hot electron flux transports self-generated magnetic fields away from the focal region through the Nernst effect [A. Nishiguchi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 262 (1984)] at significantly higher velocities than the fluid velocity. Two-dimensional implicit Vlasov-Fokker-Planck modeling shows that the Nernst effect allows advection and self-generation transports magnetic fields at significantly faster than the ion fluid velocity, v(N)/c(s)≈10.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Willingale
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Matsuoka T, McGuffey C, Cummings PG, Horovitz Y, Dollar F, Chvykov V, Kalintchenko G, Rousseau P, Yanovsky V, Bulanov SS, Thomas AGR, Maksimchuk A, Krushelnick K. Stimulated Raman side scattering in laser wakefield acceleration. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 105:034801. [PMID: 20867770 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.034801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Stimulated Raman side scattering of an ultrashort high power laser pulse is studied in experiments on laser wakefield acceleration. Experiments and simulations reveal that stimulated Raman side scattering occurs at the beginning of the interaction, that it contributes to the evolution of the pulse prior to wakefield formation, and also that it affects the quality of electron beams generated. The relativistic shift of the plasma frequency is measured.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Matsuoka
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science and FOCUS Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Dong P, Reed SA, Yi SA, Kalmykov S, Shvets G, Downer MC, Matlis NH, Leemans WP, McGuffey C, Bulanov SS, Chvykov V, Kalintchenko G, Krushelnick K, Maksimchuk A, Matsuoka T, Thomas AGR, Yanovsky V. Formation of optical bullets in laser-driven plasma bubble accelerators. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 104:134801. [PMID: 20481887 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.134801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Electron density bubbles--wake structures generated in plasma of density n(e) approximately 10(19) cm(-3) by the light pressure of intense ultrashort laser pulses--are shown to reshape weak copropagating probe pulses into optical "bullets." The bullets are reconstructed using frequency-domain interferometric techniques in order to visualize bubble formation. Bullets are confined in three dimensions to plasma-wavelength size, and exhibit higher intensity, broader spectrum and flatter temporal phase than surrounding probe light, evidence of their compression by the bubble. Bullets observed at 0.8 approximately < n(e) approximately < 1.2x10(19) cm(-3) provide the first observation of bubble formation below the electron capture threshold. At higher n(e), bullets appear with high shot-to-shot stability together with relativistic electrons that vary widely in spectrum, and help relate bubble formation to fast electron generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Dong
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1081, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
McGuffey C, Thomas AGR, Schumaker W, Matsuoka T, Chvykov V, Dollar FJ, Kalintchenko G, Yanovsky V, Maksimchuk A, Krushelnick K, Bychenkov VY, Glazyrin IV, Karpeev AV. Ionization induced trapping in a laser wakefield accelerator. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 104:025004. [PMID: 20366605 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.025004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Experimental studies of electrons produced in a laser wakefield accelerator indicate trapping initiated by ionization of target gas atoms. Targets composed of helium and controlled amounts of various gases were found to increase the beam charge by as much as an order of magnitude compared to pure helium at the same electron density and decrease the beam divergence from 5.1+/-1.0 to 2.9+/-0.8 mrad. The measurements are supported by particle-in-cell modeling including ionization. This mechanism should allow generation of electron beams with lower emittance and higher charge than in preionized gas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C McGuffey
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Nilson PM, Mangles SPD, Willingale L, Kaluza MC, Thomas AGR, Tatarakis M, Najmudin Z, Clarke RJ, Lancaster KL, Karsch S, Schreiber J, Evans RG, Dangor AE, Krushelnick K. Generation of ultrahigh-velocity ionizing shocks with petawatt-class laser pulses. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 103:255001. [PMID: 20366258 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.103.255001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Ultrahigh-velocity shock waves (approximately 10,000 km/s or 0.03c) are generated by focusing a 350-TW laser pulse into low-density helium gas. The collisionless ultrahigh-Mach-number electrostatic shock propagates from the plasma into the surrounding gas, ionizing gas as it becomes collisional. The shock undergoes a corrugation instability due to propagation of the ionizing shock within the gas (the Dyakov-Kontorovich instability). This system may be relevant to the study of very high-Mach-number ionizing shocks in astrophysical situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P M Nilson
- Department of Physics, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
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. Phys Rev Lett 2009; 102:125002. [PMID: 19392290 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.125002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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
|
43
|
Thomas AGR, Murphy CD, Mangles SPD, Dangor AE, Foster P, Gallacher JG, Jaroszynski DA, Kamperidis C, Lancaster KL, Norreys PA, Viskup R, Krushelnick K, Najmudin Z. Monoenergetic electronic beam production using dual collinear laser pulses. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:255002. [PMID: 18643668 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.255002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The production of monoenergetic electron beams by two copropagating ultrashort laser pulses is investigated both by experiment and using particle-in-cell simulations. By proper timing between guiding and driver pulses, a high-amplitude plasma wave is generated and sustained for longer than is possible with either of the laser pulses individually, due to plasma waveguiding of the driver by the guiding pulse. The growth of the plasma wave is inferred by the measurement of monoenergetic electron beams with low divergence that are not measured by using either of the pulses individually. This scheme can be easily implemented and may allow more control of the interaction than is available to the single pulse scheme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G R Thomas
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ridgers CP, Kingham RJ, Thomas AGR. Magnetic cavitation and the reemergence of nonlocal transport in laser plasmas. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:075003. [PMID: 18352564 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.075003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We present the first fully kinetic Vlasov-Fokker-Planck simulations of nanosecond laser-plasma interactions including self-consistent magnetic fields and hydrodynamic plasma expansion. For the largest magnetic fields externally applied to long-pulse laser-gas-jet experiments (12 T) a significant degree of cavitation of the B field (>40%) will be shown to occur from the laser-heated region in under half a nanosecond. This is due to the Nernst effect and leads to the reemergence of nonlocality even if the initial value of the magnetic field strength is sufficient to localize the transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C P Ridgers
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Thomas AGR, Najmudin Z, Mangles SPD, Murphy CD, Dangor AE, Kamperidis C, Lancaster KL, Mori WB, Norreys PA, Rozmus W, Krushelnick K. Effect of laser-focusing conditions on propagation and monoenergetic electron production in laser-wakefield accelerators. Phys Rev Lett 2007; 98:095004. [PMID: 17359164 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.095004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The effect of laser-focusing conditions on the evolution of relativistic plasma waves in laser-wakefield accelerators is studied both experimentally and with particle-in-cell simulations. For short focal-length (w_{0}<lambda_{p}) interactions, beam breakup prevents stable propagation of the pulse. High field gradients lead to nonlocalized phase injection of electrons, and thus broad energy spread beams. However, for long focal-length geometries (w_{0}>lambda_{p}), a single optical filament can capture the majority of the laser energy and self-guide over distances comparable to the dephasing length, even for these short pulses (ctau approximately lambda_{p}). This allows the wakefield to evolve to the correct shape for the production of the monoenergetic electron bunches, as measured in the experiment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G R Thomas
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Thomas AGR, Mangles SPD, Najmudin Z, Kaluza MC, Murphy CD, Krushelnick K. Measurements of wave-breaking radiation from a laser-wakefield accelerator. Phys Rev Lett 2007; 98:054802. [PMID: 17358867 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.054802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Spectral analysis of radiation emitted transverse to laser propagation in laser-wakefield acceleration experiments shows broadband emission when electrons are accelerated to relativistic energies. The region over which emission occurs is short compared with the overall interaction length. The energy of the emission and location along the interaction length both vary with plasma density. A model for the radiation from self-trapped electrons indicates that the emission is a signature of the violent initial acceleration, and hence can be used as a diagnostic of the self-injection mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G R Thomas
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Willingale L, Mangles SPD, Nilson PM, Clarke RJ, Dangor AE, Kaluza MC, Karsch S, Lancaster KL, Mori WB, Najmudin Z, Schreiber J, Thomas AGR, Wei MS, Krushelnick K. Collimated multi-MeV ion beams from high-intensity laser interactions with underdense plasma. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 96:245002. [PMID: 16907250 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.245002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2005] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A beam of multi-MeV helium ions has been observed from the interaction of a short-pulse high-intensity laser pulse with underdense helium plasma. The ion beam was found to have a maximum energy for He2+ of (40(+3)(-8)) MeV and was directional along the laser propagation path, with the highest energy ions being collimated to a cone of less than 10 degrees. 2D particle-in-cell simulations show that the ions are accelerated by a sheath electric field that is produced at the back of the gas target. This electric field is generated by transfer of laser energy to a hot electron beam, which exits the target generating large space-charge fields normal to its boundary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Willingale
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mangles SPD, Thomas AGR, Kaluza MC, Lundh O, Lindau F, Persson A, Tsung FS, Najmudin Z, Mori WB, Wahlström CG, Krushelnick K. Laser-wakefield acceleration of monoenergetic electron beams in the first plasma-wave period. Phys Rev Lett 2006; 96:215001. [PMID: 16803242 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.215001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Beam profile measurements of laser-wakefield accelerated electron bunches reveal that in the monoenergetic regime the electrons are injected and accelerated at the back of the first period of the plasma wave. With pulse durations ctau >or= lambda(p), we observe an elliptical beam profile with the axis of the ellipse parallel to the axis of the laser polarization. This increase in divergence in the laser polarization direction indicates that the electrons are accelerated within the laser pulse. Reducing the plasma density (decreasing ctau/lambda(p)) leads to a beam profile with less ellipticity, implying that the self-injection occurs at the rear of the first period of the plasma wave. This also demonstrates that the electron bunches are less than a plasma wavelength long, i.e., have a duration <25 fs. This interpretation is supported by 3D particle-in-cell simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P D Mangles
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Mangles SPD, Krushelnick K, Najmudin Z, Wei MS, Walton B, Gopal A, Dangor AE, Fritzler S, Murphy CD, Thomas AGR, Mori WB, Gallacher J, Jaroszynski D, Norreys PA, Viskup R. The generation of mono-energetic electron beams from ultrashort pulse laser-plasma interactions. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2006; 364:663-77. [PMID: 16483956 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2005.1730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The physics of the interaction of high-intensity laser pulses with underdense plasma depends not only on the interaction intensity but also on the laser pulse length. We show experimentally that as intensities are increased beyond 10(20) W cm(-2) the peak electron acceleration increases beyond that which can be produced from single stage plasma wave acceleration and it is likely that direct laser acceleration mechanisms begin to play an important role. If, alternatively, the pulse length is reduced such that it approaches the plasma period of a relativistic electron plasma wave, high-power interactions at much lower intensity enable the generation of quasi-mono-energetic beams of relativistic electrons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P D Mangles
- Imperial College Blackett Laboratory London SW7 2BZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Mangles SPD, Murphy CD, Najmudin Z, Thomas AGR, Collier JL, Dangor AE, Divall EJ, Foster PS, Gallacher JG, Hooker CJ, Jaroszynski DA, Langley AJ, Mori WB, Norreys PA, Tsung FS, Viskup R, Walton BR, Krushelnick K. Monoenergetic beams of relativistic electrons from intense laser-plasma interactions. Nature 2004; 431:535-8. [PMID: 15457251 DOI: 10.1038/nature02939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2004] [Accepted: 08/18/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
High-power lasers that fit into a university-scale laboratory can now reach focused intensities of more than 10(19) W cm(-2) at high repetition rates. Such lasers are capable of producing beams of energetic electrons, protons and gamma-rays. Relativistic electrons are generated through the breaking of large-amplitude relativistic plasma waves created in the wake of the laser pulse as it propagates through a plasma, or through a direct interaction between the laser field and the electrons in the plasma. However, the electron beams produced from previous laser-plasma experiments have a large energy spread, limiting their use for potential applications. Here we report high-resolution energy measurements of the electron beams produced from intense laser-plasma interactions, showing that--under particular plasma conditions--it is possible to generate beams of relativistic electrons with low divergence and a small energy spread (less than three per cent). The monoenergetic features were observed in the electron energy spectrum for plasma densities just above a threshold required for breaking of the plasma wave. These features were observed consistently in the electron spectrum, although the energy of the beam was observed to vary from shot to shot. If the issue of energy reproducibility can be addressed, it should be possible to generate ultrashort monoenergetic electron bunches of tunable energy, holding great promise for the future development of 'table-top' particle accelerators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S P D Mangles
- The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|