1
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Kumar HS, Takahashi M, Kuramitsu Y, Ohnishi N. Integrating sheath and radiation-based acceleration using scaling coefficients for tailoring radiation dominant hybrid acceleration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22531. [PMID: 39341913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72623-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
An optimal target condition for generating GeV-energy ions with linearly polarized laser pulse is revealed by a hybrid acceleration theory based on the fractional contributions of the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) and the radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) mechanisms in the RPA-dominant regime. The theory is established with two scaling coefficients, which scale the TNSA and RPA velocities, and are sophisticated through two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations where GeV-energy ions are obtained by RPA-dominant hybrid acceleration. By imposing limits on the scaling coefficients, three separate acceleration regions are obtained including a RPA-dominant acceleration region, which is optimal to generate GeV-energy ions. The past experiment/simulation results are in good agreement with the acceleration regions obtained. This RPA-dominant region is narrower than previously reported, and this region becomes even narrower with increasing material density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harihara Sudhan Kumar
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramakiazaaoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Masayuki Takahashi
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramakiazaaoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kuramitsu
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Naofumi Ohnishi
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramakiazaaoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan.
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2
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Seemann O, Wan Y, Tata S, Kroupp E, Malka V. Laser Proton Acceleration from a Near-Critical Imploding Gas Target. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 133:025001. [PMID: 39073973 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.133.025001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The interaction between relativistic intense laser pulses and near-critical-density targets has been sought after in order to increase the efficiency of laser-plasma energy coupling, particularly for laser-driven proton acceleration. To achieve the density regime for high-repetition-rate applications, one elusive approach is to use gas targets, provided that stringent target density profile requirements are met. These include reaching the critical plasma density while maintaining micron-scale density gradients. In this Letter, we present a novel scheme for achieving the necessary requirements using optical laser pulses to transversely shape the target and create a colliding shock wave in both planar and cylindrical geometries. Utilizing this approach, we experimentally demonstrated stable proton acceleration and achieved up to 5 MeV in a monoenergetic distribution and particle numbers above 10^{8} Sr^{-1} MeV^{-1} using a 1.5 J energy on-target laser pulse. The Letter also reports for the first time an extend series of 200 consecutive shots that demonstrates the robustness of the approach and its maturity for applications. These results open the door for future work in controlling gas targets and optimizing the acceleration process for more energetic multipetawatt laser systems.
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3
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Formenti A, Galbiati M, Passoni M. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of laser-driven multiradiation sources based on double-layer targets. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:035206. [PMID: 38632811 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.035206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Double-layer targets (DLTs), made of a low-density foam on top of a solid substrate, can efficiently convert the energy of a high-intensity laser to provide sources of photons and protons. We investigate a 30-fs pulse with a peak intensity of I∼8.7×10^{20}W/cm^{2} and a peak power of ∼120 TW interacting with a DLT using three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell simulations. We focus on providing quantitative results in full 3D geometry on the foam thickness dependence; on the competition between two photon-generating processes in DLTs, i.e., nonlinear inverse Compton scattering (NICS) and bremsstrahlung (BS); and on the acceleration of protons via enhanced target-normal sheath acceleration. We discuss conversion efficiency, average energy, and angular distributions of such multiradiation sources. We find that NICS can prevail over BS if the DLT's substrate is thin enough (∼µm) and that the optimal foam thickness that maximizes the conversion efficiency in NICS and BS photons and the proton cutoff energy, among those considered, is the same (15µm). These results show that DLTs constitute an excellent tool for developing relatively compact and optimized laser-driven multicomponent radiation sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Formenti
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Marta Galbiati
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Matteo Passoni
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
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4
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Maffini A, Mirani F, Galbiati M, Ambrogioni K, Gatti F, Galli De Magistris MS, Vavassori D, Orecchia D, Dellasega D, Russo V, Zavelani-Rossi M, Passoni M. Towards compact laser-driven accelerators: exploring the potential of advanced double-layer targets. EPJ TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTATION 2023; 10:15. [PMID: 37304894 PMCID: PMC10250455 DOI: 10.1140/epjti/s40485-023-00102-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The interest in compact, cost-effective, and versatile accelerators is increasing for many applications of great societal relevance, ranging from nuclear medicine to agriculture, pollution control, and cultural heritage conservation. For instance, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) is a non-destructive material characterization technique applied to environmental analysis that requires MeV-energy ions. In this context, superintense laser-driven ion sources represent a promising alternative to conventional accelerators. In particular, the optimization of the laser-target coupling by acting on target properties results in an enhancement of ion current and energy with reduced requirements on the laser system. Among the advanced target concepts that have been explored, one appealing option is given by double-layer targets (DLTs), where a very low-density layer, which acts as an enhanced laser absorber, is grown to a thin solid foil. Here we present some of the most recent results concerning the production with deposition techniques of advanced DLTs for laser-driven particle acceleration. We assess the potential of these targets for laser-driven ion acceleration with particle-in-cell simulations, as well as their application to PIXE analysis of aerosol samples with Monte Carlo simulations. Our investigation reports that MeV protons, accelerated with a ∼20 TW compact laser and optimized DLTs, can allow performing PIXE with comparable performances to conventional sources. We conclude that compact DLT-based laser-driven accelerators can be relevant for environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Maffini
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Francesco Mirani
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Marta Galbiati
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Kevin Ambrogioni
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Francesco Gatti
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | | | - Davide Vavassori
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Davide Orecchia
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - David Dellasega
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | - Valeria Russo
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
| | | | - Matteo Passoni
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci, 32, Milano, 20133 Italy
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5
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High-flux neutron generation by laser-accelerated ions from single- and double-layer targets. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19767. [DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractContemporary ultraintense, short-pulse laser systems provide extremely compact setups for the production of high-flux neutron beams, such as those required for nondestructive probing of dense matter, research on neutron-induced damage in fusion devices or laboratory astrophysics studies. Here, by coupling particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo numerical simulations, we examine possible strategies to optimise neutron sources from ion-induced nuclear reactions using 1-PW, 20-fs-class laser systems. To improve the ion acceleration, the laser-irradiated targets are chosen to be ultrathin solid foils, either standing alone or preceded by a plasma layer of near-critical density to enhance the laser focusing. We compare the performance of these single- and double-layer targets, and determine their optimum parameters in terms of energy and angular spectra of the accelerated ions. These are then sent into a converter to generate neutrons via nuclear reactions on beryllium and lead nuclei. Overall, we identify configurations that result in neutron yields as high as $$\sim 10^{10}\,{\mathrm{n}}\,{\mathrm{sr}}^{-1}$$
∼
10
10
n
sr
-
1
in $$\sim 1$$
∼
1
-cm-thick converters or instantaneous neutron fluxes above $$10^{23}\,{\mathrm{n}}\,{\mathrm{cm}}^{-2}\,{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$$
10
23
n
cm
-
2
s
-
1
at the backside of $$\lesssim 100$$
≲
100
-$$\upmu$$
μ
m-thick converters. Considering a realistic repetition rate of one laser shot per minute, the corresponding time-averaged neutron yields are predicted to reach values ($$\gtrsim 10^7\,{\mathrm{n}} \,{\mathrm{sr}}^{-1}\,{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$$
≳
10
7
n
sr
-
1
s
-
1
) well above the current experimental record, and this even with a mere thin foil as a primary target. A further increase in the time-averaged yield up to above $$10^8\,{\mathrm{sr}}^{-1}\,{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$$
10
8
sr
-
1
s
-
1
is foreseen using double-layer targets.
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6
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Robustness of large-area suspended graphene under interaction with intense laser. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2346. [PMID: 35173182 PMCID: PMC8850449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Graphene is known as an atomically thin, transparent, highly electrically and thermally conductive, light-weight, and the strongest 2D material. We investigate disruptive application of graphene as a target of laser-driven ion acceleration. We develop large-area suspended graphene (LSG) and by transferring graphene layer by layer we control the thickness with precision down to a single atomic layer. Direct irradiations of the LSG targets generate MeV protons and carbons from sub-relativistic to relativistic laser intensities from low contrast to high contrast conditions without plasma mirror, evidently showing the durability of graphene.
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7
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Enhanced Proton Acceleration from Laser Interaction with a Tailored Nanowire Target. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Target normal sheath field acceleration via laser interaction with structured solid targets has been widely studied for its potential use in a wide range of applications. Here, a novel nanowire target with a corrugated front surface is proposed to improve the proton acceleration by a target normal sheath field. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrated that with the existence of the corrugated surface, the cut-off energy of accelerated protons nearly doubles compared to the planar nanowire target. When interacting with the corrugated surface, the incident laser pulse is reflected multiple times, focused and reinforced in each cavity near the front surface, which leads to suppression of the reflectivity and an improvement in the absorption rate. Electrons are heated more efficiently and the sheath field at the target rear side is naturally enhanced. To further investigate the performance of this novel target, a series of simulations with various laser intensities and target sizes were also carried out. This simple target design may provide insights for experiments in the future and should arouse interest because of its wide application.
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8
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Forward-looking insights in laser-generated ultra-intense γ-ray and neutron sources for nuclear application and science. Nat Commun 2022; 13:170. [PMID: 35013380 PMCID: PMC8748949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27694-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultra-intense MeV photon and neutron beams are indispensable tools in many research fields such as nuclear, atomic and material science as well as in medical and biophysical applications. For applications in laboratory nuclear astrophysics, neutron fluxes in excess of 1021 n/(cm2 s) are required. Such ultra-high fluxes are unattainable with existing conventional reactor- and accelerator-based facilities. Currently discussed concepts for generating high-flux neutron beams are based on ultra-high power multi-petawatt lasers operating around 1023 W/cm2 intensities. Here, we present an efficient concept for generating γ and neutron beams based on enhanced production of direct laser-accelerated electrons in relativistic laser interactions with a long-scale near critical density plasma at 1019 W/cm2 intensity. Experimental insights in the laser-driven generation of ultra-intense, well-directed multi-MeV beams of photons more than 1012 ph/sr and an ultra-high intense neutron source with greater than 6 × 1010 neutrons per shot are presented. More than 1.4% laser-to-gamma conversion efficiency above 10 MeV and 0.05% laser-to-neutron conversion efficiency were recorded, already at moderate relativistic laser intensities and ps pulse duration. This approach promises a strong boost of the diagnostic potential of existing kJ PW laser systems used for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) research. Laser-plasma interaction can provide alternative platform over conventional method for particle and photon beam generation. Here the authors demonstrate generation of gamma ray and neutron beams from intense laser interaction with near critical density plasma.
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9
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Enhanced laser-driven proton acceleration via improved fast electron heating in a controlled pre-plasma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13728. [PMID: 34215775 PMCID: PMC8253820 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of ultraintense laser pulses with solids is largely affected by the plasma gradient at the vacuum–solid interface, which modifies the absorption and ultimately, controls the energy distribution function of heated electrons. A micrometer scale-length plasma has been predicted to yield a significant enhancement of the energy and weight of the fast electron population and to play a major role in laser-driven proton acceleration with thin foils. We report on recent experimental results on proton acceleration from laser interaction with foil targets at ultra-relativistic intensities. We show a threefold increase of the proton cut-off energy when a micrometer scale-length pre-plasma is introduced by irradiation with a low energy femtosecond pre-pulse. Our realistic numerical simulations agree with the observed gain of the proton cut-off energy and confirm the role of stochastic heating of fast electrons in the enhancement of the accelerating sheath field.
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10
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Generation of focusing ion beams by magnetized electron sheath acceleration. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18966. [PMID: 33144599 PMCID: PMC7641233 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75915-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the first 3D fully kinetic simulations of laser driven sheath-based ion acceleration with a kilotesla-level applied magnetic field. The application of a strong magnetic field significantly and beneficially alters sheath based ion acceleration and creates two distinct stages in the acceleration process associated with the time-evolving magnetization of the hot electron sheath. The first stage delivers dramatically enhanced acceleration, and the second reverses the typical outward-directed topology of the sheath electric field into a focusing configuration. The net result is a focusing, magnetic field-directed ion source of multiple species with strongly enhanced energy and number. The predicted improvements in ion source characteristics are desirable for applications and suggest a route to experimentally confirm magnetization-related effects in the high energy density regime. We additionally perform a comparison between 2D and 3D simulation geometry, on which basis we predict the feasibility of observing magnetic field effects under experimentally relevant conditions.
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11
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Abstract
Ion beam analysis techniques are among the most powerful tools for advanced materials characterization. Despite their growing relevance in a widening number of fields, most ion beam analysis facilities still rely on the oldest accelerator technologies, with severe limitations in terms of portability and flexibility. In this work we thoroughly address the potential of superintense laser-driven proton sources for this application. We develop a complete analytical and numerical framework suitable to describe laser-driven ion beam analysis, exemplifying the approach for Proton Induced X-ray/Gamma-ray emission, a technique of widespread interest. This allows us to propose a realistic design for a compact, versatile ion beam analysis facility based on this novel concept. These results can pave the way for ground-breaking developments in the field of hadron-based advanced materials characterization.
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12
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Ma WJ, Kim IJ, Yu JQ, Choi IW, Singh PK, Lee HW, Sung JH, Lee SK, Lin C, Liao Q, Zhu JG, Lu HY, Liu B, Wang HY, Xu RF, He XT, Chen JE, Zepf M, Schreiber J, Yan XQ, Nam CH. Laser Acceleration of Highly Energetic Carbon Ions Using a Double-Layer Target Composed of Slightly Underdense Plasma and Ultrathin Foil. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 122:014803. [PMID: 31012707 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.122.014803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We report the experimental generation of highly energetic carbon ions up to 48 MeV per nucleon by shooting double-layer targets composed of well-controlled slightly underdense plasma and ultrathin foils with ultraintense femtosecond laser pulses. Particle-in-cell simulations reveal that carbon ions are ejected from the ultrathin foils due to radiation pressure and then accelerated in an enhanced sheath field established by the superponderomotive electron flow. Such a cascaded acceleration is especially suited for heavy ion acceleration with femtosecond laser pulses. The breakthrough of heavy ion energy up to many tens of MeV/u at a high repetition rate would be able to trigger significant advances in nuclear physics, high energy density physics, and medical physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - I Jong Kim
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
- Advanced Photonics Research Institute, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - J Q Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Il Woo Choi
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
- Advanced Photonics Research Institute, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - P K Singh
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Hwang Woon Lee
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Jae Hee Sung
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
- Advanced Photonics Research Institute, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Seong Ku Lee
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
- Advanced Photonics Research Institute, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - C Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Q Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - J G Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - H Y Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - B Liu
- Max-Planck-Institute für Quantenoptik, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - H Y Wang
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - R F Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - X T He
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - J E Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - M Zepf
- Helmholtz-Institut-Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Centre for Plasma Physics, Queens University, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - J Schreiber
- Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute für Quantenoptik, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - X Q Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, and Key Laboratory of HEDP of the Ministry of Education, CAPT, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
| | - Chang Hee Nam
- Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea
- Department of Physics and Photon Science, GIST, Gwangju 61005, Korea
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13
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Fedeli L, Formenti A, Cialfi L, Pazzaglia A, Passoni M. Ultra-intense laser interaction with nanostructured near-critical plasmas. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3834. [PMID: 29497130 PMCID: PMC5832818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22147-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Near-critical plasmas irradiated at ultra-high laser intensities (I > 1018W/cm2) allow to improve the performances of laser-driven particle and radiation sources and to explore scenarios of great astrophysical interest. Near-critical plasmas with controlled properties can be obtained with nanostructured low-density materials. By means of 3D Particle-In-Cell simulations, we investigate how realistic nanostructures influence the interaction of an ultra-intense laser with a plasma having a near-critical average electron density. We find that the presence of a nanostructure strongly reduces the effect of pulse polarization and enhances the energy absorbed by the ion population, while generally leading to a significant decrease of the electron temperature with respect to a homogeneous near-critical plasma. We also observe an effect of the nanostructure morphology. These results are relevant both for a fundamental understanding and for the foreseen applications of laser-plasma interaction in the near-critical regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fedeli
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milano, 20133, Italy.
| | - Arianna Formenti
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cialfi
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Andrea Pazzaglia
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Matteo Passoni
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
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14
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Nakatsutsumi M, Sentoku Y, Korzhimanov A, Chen SN, Buffechoux S, Kon A, Atherton B, Audebert P, Geissel M, Hurd L, Kimmel M, Rambo P, Schollmeier M, Schwarz J, Starodubtsev M, Gremillet L, Kodama R, Fuchs J. Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons. Nat Commun 2018; 9:280. [PMID: 29348402 PMCID: PMC5773560 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02436-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the target surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~105 T at laser intensities ~1021 W cm–2) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire. Laser-generated ion acceleration has received increasing attention due to recent progress in super-intense lasers. Here the authors demonstrate the role of the self-generated magnetic field on the ion acceleration and limitations on the energy scaling with laser intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nakatsutsumi
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France. .,European XFEL, GmbH, Holzkoppel 4, 22869, Schenefeld, Germany. .,Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Y Sentoku
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 89557, USA
| | - A Korzhimanov
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - S N Chen
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France.,Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - S Buffechoux
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France
| | - A Kon
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Sayo, Hyogo, 679-5198, Japan
| | - B Atherton
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - P Audebert
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France
| | - M Geissel
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - L Hurd
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - M Kimmel
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - P Rambo
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - M Schollmeier
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - J Schwarz
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87123, USA
| | - M Starodubtsev
- Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | | | - R Kodama
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - J Fuchs
- LULI-CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA: Université Paris-Saclay; UPMC Univ Paris 06: Sorbonne Universités, Palaiseau cedex, F-91128, France. .,Institute of Applied Physics, 46 Ulyanov Street, 603950, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
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15
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Cialfi L, Fedeli L, Passoni M. Electron heating in subpicosecond laser interaction with overdense and near-critical plasmas. Phys Rev E 2016; 94:053201. [PMID: 27967191 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.94.053201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this work we investigate electron heating induced by intense laser interaction with micrometric flat solid foils in the context of laser-driven ion acceleration. We propose a simple law to predict the electron temperature in a wider range of laser parameters with respect to commonly used existing models. An extensive two-dimensional (2D) and 3D numerical campaign shows that electron heating is due to the combined actions of j×B and Brunel effect. Electron temperature can be well described with a simple function of pulse intensity and angle of incidence, with parameters dependent on pulse polarization. We then combine our model for the electron temperature with an existing model for laser-ion acceleration, using recent experimental results as a benchmark. We also discuss an exploratory attempt to model electron temperature for multilayered foam-attached targets, which have been proven recently to be an attractive target concept for laser-driven ion acceleration.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cialfi
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano University, Milan, Italy
| | - L Fedeli
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano University, Milan, Italy
| | - M Passoni
- Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano University, Milan, Italy
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16
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Optimizing laser-driven proton acceleration from overdense targets. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29402. [PMID: 27435449 PMCID: PMC4951642 DOI: 10.1038/srep29402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate how to tune the main ion acceleration mechanism in laser-plasma interactions to collisionless shock acceleration, thus achieving control over the final ion beam properties (e. g. maximum energy, divergence, number of accelerated ions). We investigate this technique with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and illustrate a possible experimental realisation. The setup consists of an isolated solid density target, which is preheated by a first laser pulse to initiate target expansion, and a second one to trigger acceleration. The timing between the two laser pulses allows to access all ion acceleration regimes, ranging from target normal sheath acceleration, to hole boring and collisionless shock acceleration. We further demonstrate that the most energetic ions are produced by collisionless shock acceleration, if the target density is near-critical, ne ≈ 0.5 ncr. A scaling of the laser power shows that 100 MeV protons may be achieved in the PW range.
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17
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Bulanov SS, Esarey E, Schroeder CB, Bulanov SV, Esirkepov TZ, Kando M, Pegoraro F, Leemans WP. Enhancement of maximum attainable ion energy in the radiation pressure acceleration regime using a guiding structure. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2015; 114:105003. [PMID: 25815939 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.114.105003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Radiation pressure acceleration is a highly efficient mechanism of laser-driven ion acceleration, with the laser energy almost totally transferrable to the ions in the relativistic regime. There is a fundamental limit on the maximum attainable ion energy, which is determined by the group velocity of the laser. In the case of tightly focused laser pulses, which are utilized to get the highest intensity, another factor limiting the maximum ion energy comes into play, the transverse expansion of the target. Transverse expansion makes the target transparent for radiation, thus reducing the effectiveness of acceleration. Utilization of an external guiding structure for the accelerating laser pulse may provide a way of compensating for the group velocity and transverse expansion effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Bulanov
- University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - E Esarey
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - C B Schroeder
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - S V Bulanov
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, JAEA, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
- Prokhorov Institute of General Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russia
| | - T Zh Esirkepov
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, JAEA, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - M Kando
- Kansai Photon Science Institute, JAEA, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0215, Japan
| | - F Pegoraro
- Physics Department, University of Pisa and Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, CNR, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - W P Leemans
- University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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18
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Levy MC, Wilks SC, Tabak M, Libby SB, Baring MG. Petawatt laser absorption bounded. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4149. [PMID: 24938656 PMCID: PMC4083416 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of petawatt (10(15) W) lasers with solid matter forms the basis for advanced scientific applications such as table-top particle accelerators, ultrafast imaging systems and laser fusion. Key metrics for these applications relate to absorption, yet conditions in this regime are so nonlinear that it is often impossible to know the fraction of absorbed light f, and even the range of f is unknown. Here using a relativistic Rankine-Hugoniot-like analysis, we show for the first time that f exhibits a theoretical maximum and minimum. These bounds constrain nonlinear absorption mechanisms across the petawatt regime, forbidding high absorption values at low laser power and low absorption values at high laser power. For applications needing to circumvent the absorption bounds, these results will accelerate a shift from solid targets, towards structured and multilayer targets, and lead the development of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Levy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Scott C. Wilks
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Max Tabak
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Stephen B. Libby
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Matthew G. Baring
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
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19
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Ceccotti T, Floquet V, Sgattoni A, Bigongiari A, Klimo O, Raynaud M, Riconda C, Heron A, Baffigi F, Labate L, Gizzi LA, Vassura L, Fuchs J, Passoni M, Květon M, Novotny F, Possolt M, Prokůpek J, Proška J, Pšikal J, Štolcová L, Velyhan A, Bougeard M, D'Oliveira P, Tcherbakoff O, Réau F, Martin P, Macchi A. Evidence of resonant surface-wave excitation in the relativistic regime through measurements of proton acceleration from grating targets. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:185001. [PMID: 24237527 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.185001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of laser pulses with thin grating targets, having a periodic groove at the irradiated surface, is experimentally investigated. Ultrahigh contrast (~10(12)) pulses allow us to demonstrate an enhanced laser-target coupling for the first time in the relativistic regime of ultrahigh intensity >10(19) W/cm(2). A maximum increase by a factor of 2.5 of the cutoff energy of protons produced by target normal sheath acceleration is observed with respect to plane targets, around the incidence angle expected for the resonant excitation of surface waves. A significant enhancement is also observed for small angles of incidence, out of resonance.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ceccotti
- CEA/IRAMIS/SPAM, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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