1
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Liao G, Sun F, Lei H, Wang T, Wang D, Wei Y, Liu F, Wang X, Li Y, Zhang J. Femtosecond Dynamics of Fast Electron Pulses in Relativistic Laser-Foil Interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:155001. [PMID: 38682968 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.155001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
We report the femtosecond time-resolved dynamics of relativistic electron pulses in ultraintense laser-foil interactions, by characterizing the terahertz self-radiation with single-shot ultrabroadband interferometry. Experimental measurements together with theoretical modeling reveal that the electron pulses inherit the duration of the driving laser pulse. We also visualize the electron recirculation dynamics, where electrons remain trapped inside the self-generated electrostatic potential well and rebound back and forth around the thin foil for hundreds of femtoseconds. Our results not only demonstrate an in situ, real-time metrology scheme for electron bursts, but also have important implications for understanding and manipulating the time-domain properties of laser-driven particle and radiation sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqian Liao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Fangzheng Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongyi Lei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianze Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanyu Wei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yutong Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA (CICIFSA), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai 200240, China
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2
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Dulat A, Aparajit C, Choudhary A, Lad AD, Ved YM, Paradkar BS, Ravindra Kumar G. Subpicosecond pre-plasma dynamics of a high contrast, ultraintense laser-solid target interaction. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:5684-5687. [PMID: 37219303 DOI: 10.1364/ol.461452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Using the spectral interferometry technique, we measured subpicosecond time-resolved pre-plasma scale lengths and early expansion (<12 ps) of the plasma produced by a high intensity (6 × 1018 W/cm2) pulse with high contrast (109). We measured pre-plasma scale lengths in the range of 3-20 nm, before the arrival of the peak of the femtosecond pulse. This measurement plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanism of laser coupling its energy to hot electrons and is hence important for laser-driven ion acceleration and the fast ignition approach to fusion.
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3
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Woldegeorgis A, Herzer S, Almassarani M, Marathapalli S, Gopal A. Modeling terahertz emission from the target rear side during intense laser-solid interactions. Phys Rev E 2019; 100:053204. [PMID: 31869893 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.053204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Relativistic laser-solid target interaction is a powerful source of terahertz radiation where broadband terahertz radiation is emitted from the front and rear surfaces of the target. Even though several experimental works have reported the generation of subpicosecond duration gigawatt peak power terahertz pulses from the target rear surface, the underlying physical process behind their origin is still an open question. Here we discuss a numerical model that can accurately reproduce several aspects of the experimental results. The model is based on the charged particle dynamics at the target rear surface and the evolution of the charge separation field. We identify the major contributors that are responsible for broadband terahertz emission from the rear surface of the target.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Woldegeorgis
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Herzer
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - M Almassarani
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - S Marathapalli
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - A Gopal
- Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
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4
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Green JS, Booth N, Dance RJ, Gray RJ, MacLellan DA, Marshall A, McKenna P, Murphy CD, Ridgers CP, Robinson APL, Rusby D, Scott RHH, Wilson L. Time-resolved measurements of fast electron recirculation for relativistically intense femtosecond scale laser-plasma interactions. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29540743 PMCID: PMC5852165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A key issue in realising the development of a number of applications of high-intensity lasers is the dynamics of the fast electrons produced and how to diagnose them. We report on measurements of fast electron transport in aluminium targets in the ultra-intense, short-pulse (<50 fs) regime using a high resolution temporally and spatially resolved optical probe. The measurements show a rapidly (≈0.5c) expanding region of Ohmic heating at the rear of the target, driven by lateral transport of the fast electron population inside the target. Simulations demonstrate that a broad angular distribution of fast electrons on the order of 60° is required, in conjunction with extensive recirculation of the electron population, in order to drive such lateral transport. These results provide fundamental new insight into fast electron dynamics driven by ultra-short laser pulses, which is an important regime for the development of laser-based radiation and particle sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Green
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK.
| | - N Booth
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - R J Dance
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - R J Gray
- Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - D A MacLellan
- Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - A Marshall
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - P McKenna
- Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - C D Murphy
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - C P Ridgers
- York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - A P L Robinson
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - D Rusby
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK.,Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - R H H Scott
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - L Wilson
- Central Laser Facility, STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK
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5
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Acceleration of collimated 45 MeV protons by collisionless shocks driven in low-density, large-scale gradient plasmas by a 10 20 W/cm 2, 1 µm laser. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16463. [PMID: 29184108 PMCID: PMC5705667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15449-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A new type of proton acceleration stemming from large-scale gradients, low-density targets, irradiated by an intense near-infrared laser is observed. The produced protons are characterized by high-energies (with a broad spectrum), are emitted in a very directional manner, and the process is associated to relaxed laser (no need for high-contrast) and target (no need for ultra-thin or expensive targets) constraints. As such, this process appears quite effective compared to the standard and commonly used Target Normal Sheath Acceleration technique (TNSA), or more exploratory mechanisms like Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA). The data are underpinned by 3D numerical simulations which suggest that in these conditions a Low Density Collisionless Shock Acceleration (LDCSA) mechanism is at play, which combines an initial Collisionless Shock Acceleration (CSA) to a boost procured by a TNSA-like sheath field in the downward density ramp of the target, leading to an overall broad spectrum. Experiments performed at a laser intensity of 1020 W/cm2 show that LDCSA can accelerate, from ~1% critical density, mm-scale targets, up to 5 × 109 protons/MeV/sr/J with energies up to 45(±5) MeV in a collimated (~6° half-angle) manner.
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6
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Jin Z, Zhuo HB, Nakazawa T, Shin JH, Wakamatsu S, Yugami N, Hosokai T, Zou DB, Yu MY, Sheng ZM, Kodama R. Highly efficient terahertz radiation from a thin foil irradiated by a high-contrast laser pulse. Phys Rev E 2016; 94:033206. [PMID: 27739720 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.94.033206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Radially polarized intense terahertz (THz) radiation behind a thin foil irradiated by ultrahigh-contrast ultrashort relativistic laser pulse is recorded by a single-shot THz time-domain spectroscopy system. As the thickness of the target is reduced from 30 to 2 µm, the duration of the THz emission increases from 5 to over 20 ps and the radiation energy increases dramatically, reaching ∼10.5mJ per pulse, corresponding to a laser-to-THz radiation energy conversion efficiency of 1.7%. The efficient THz emission can be attributed to reflection (deceleration and acceleration) of the laser-driven hot electrons by the target-rear sheath electric field. The experimental results are consistent with that of a simple model as well as particle-in-cell simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Jin
- Photon Pioneers Center, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - H B Zhuo
- College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, People's Republic of China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - T Nakazawa
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - J H Shin
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - S Wakamatsu
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - N Yugami
- Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Sciences, Center for Optical Research & Education, and Optical Technology Innovation Center, Utsunomiya University, Yoto 7-1-2, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-8585, Japan
| | - T Hosokai
- Photon Pioneers Center, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - D B Zou
- College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, People's Republic of China
| | - M Y Yu
- Institute for Fusion Theory and Simulation and Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, People's Republic of China and Institute of Theoretical Physics I, Ruhr University, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Z M Sheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China.,SUPA, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G0 4NG, United Kingdom.,Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (Ministry of Education) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - R Kodama
- Photon Pioneers Center, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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7
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Albertazzi B, d'Humières E, Lancia L, Dervieux V, Antici P, Böcker J, Bonlie J, Breil J, Cauble B, Chen SN, Feugeas JL, Nakatsutsumi M, Nicolaï P, Romagnani L, Shepherd R, Sentoku Y, Swantusch M, Tikhonchuk VT, Borghesi M, Willi O, Pépin H, Fuchs J. A compact broadband ion beam focusing device based on laser-driven megagauss thermoelectric magnetic fields. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2015; 86:043502. [PMID: 25933857 DOI: 10.1063/1.4917273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ultra-intense lasers can nowadays routinely accelerate kiloampere ion beams. These unique sources of particle beams could impact many societal (e.g., proton-therapy or fuel recycling) and fundamental (e.g., neutron probing) domains. However, this requires overcoming the beam angular divergence at the source. This has been attempted, either with large-scale conventional setups or with compact plasma techniques that however have the restriction of short (<1 mm) focusing distances or a chromatic behavior. Here, we show that exploiting laser-triggered, long-lasting (>50 ps), thermoelectric multi-megagauss surface magnetic (B)-fields, compact capturing, and focusing of a diverging laser-driven multi-MeV ion beam can be achieved over a wide range of ion energies in the limit of a 5° acceptance angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Albertazzi
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - E d'Humières
- CELIA, Universite de Bordeaux, Talence 33405, France
| | - L Lancia
- Dipartimento SBAI, Universita di Roma "La Sapienza," Via A. Scarpa 16, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - V Dervieux
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - P Antici
- Dipartimento SBAI, Universita di Roma "La Sapienza," Via A. Scarpa 16, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - J Böcker
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - J Bonlie
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - J Breil
- CELIA, Universite de Bordeaux, Talence 33405, France
| | - B Cauble
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - S N Chen
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - J L Feugeas
- CELIA, Universite de Bordeaux, Talence 33405, France
| | - M Nakatsutsumi
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - P Nicolaï
- CELIA, Universite de Bordeaux, Talence 33405, France
| | - L Romagnani
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - R Shepherd
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA
| | - Y Sentoku
- Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - M Swantusch
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | | | - M Borghesi
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The Queen's University, Belfast BT7 INN, United Kingdom
| | - O Willi
- Institut für Laser- und Plasmaphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - H Pépin
- INRS-EMT, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - J Fuchs
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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8
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Peltz C, Varin C, Brabec T, Fennel T. Time-resolved x-ray imaging of anisotropic nanoplasma expansion. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 113:133401. [PMID: 25302885 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.133401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A complete time-resolved x-ray imaging experiment of laser heated solid-density hydrogen clusters is modeled by microscopic particle-in-cell simulations that account self-consistently for the microscopic cluster dynamics and electromagnetic wave evolution. A technique is developed to retrieve the anisotropic nanoplasma expansion from the elastic and inelastic x-ray scattering data. Our method takes advantage of the self-similar evolution of the nanoplasma density and enables us to make movies of ultrafast nanoplasma dynamics from pump-probe x-ray imaging experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Peltz
- Institut für Physik, Universität Rostock, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Charles Varin
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Thomas Brabec
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 150 Louis Pasteur, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Thomas Fennel
- Institut für Physik, Universität Rostock, 18051 Rostock, Germany
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9
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Bolton P, Borghesi M, Brenner C, Carroll D, De Martinis C, Fiorini F, Flacco A, Floquet V, Fuchs J, Gallegos P, Giove D, Green J, Green S, Jones B, Kirby D, McKenna P, Neely D, Nuesslin F, Prasad R, Reinhardt S, Roth M, Schramm U, Scott G, Ter-Avetisyan S, Tolley M, Turchetti G, Wilkens J. Instrumentation for diagnostics and control of laser-accelerated proton (ion) beams. Phys Med 2014; 30:255-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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10
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Daido H, Nishiuchi M, Pirozhkov AS. Review of laser-driven ion sources and their applications. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2012; 75:056401. [PMID: 22790586 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/75/5/056401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
For many years, laser-driven ion acceleration, mainly proton acceleration, has been proposed and a number of proof-of-principle experiments have been carried out with lasers whose pulse duration was in the nanosecond range. In the 1990s, ion acceleration in a relativistic plasma was demonstrated with ultra-short pulse lasers based on the chirped pulse amplification technique which can provide not only picosecond or femtosecond laser pulse duration, but simultaneously ultra-high peak power of terawatt to petawatt levels. Starting from the year 2000, several groups demonstrated low transverse emittance, tens of MeV proton beams with a conversion efficiency of up to several percent. The laser-accelerated particle beams have a duration of the order of a few picoseconds at the source, an ultra-high peak current and a broad energy spectrum, which make them suitable for many, including several unique, applications. This paper reviews, firstly, the historical background including the early laser-matter interaction studies on energetic ion acceleration relevant to inertial confinement fusion. Secondly, we describe several implemented and proposed mechanisms of proton and/or ion acceleration driven by ultra-short high-intensity lasers. We pay special attention to relatively simple models of several acceleration regimes. The models connect the laser, plasma and proton/ion beam parameters, predicting important features, such as energy spectral shape, optimum conditions and scalings under these conditions for maximum ion energy, conversion efficiency, etc. The models also suggest possible ways to manipulate the proton/ion beams by tailoring the target and irradiation conditions. Thirdly, we review experimental results on proton/ion acceleration, starting with the description of driving lasers. We list experimental results and show general trends of parameter dependences and compare them with the theoretical predictions and simulations. The fourth topic includes a review of scientific, industrial and medical applications of laser-driven proton or ion sources, some of which have already been established, while the others are yet to be demonstrated. In most applications, the laser-driven ion sources are complementary to the conventional accelerators, exhibiting significantly different properties. Finally, we summarize the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Daido
- Applied Laser Technology Institute, Tsuruga Head Office, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Kizaki, Tsuruga-shi, Fukui-ken 914-8585, Japan.
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11
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Chen SN, d'Humières E, Lefebvre E, Romagnani L, Toncian T, Antici P, Audebert P, Brambrink E, Cecchetti CA, Kudyakov T, Pipahl A, Sentoku Y, Borghesi M, Willi O, Fuchs J. Focusing dynamics of high-energy density, laser-driven ion beams. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 108:055001. [PMID: 22400936 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.055001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of the focusing of laser-driven ion beams produced from concave solid targets was studied. Most of the ion beam energy is observed to converge at the center of the cylindrical targets with a spot diameter of 30 μm, which can be very beneficial for applications requiring high beam energy densities. Also, unbalanced laser irradiation does not compromise the focusability of the beam. However, significant filamentation occurs during the focusing, potentially limiting the localization of the energy deposition region by these beams at focus. These effects could impact the applicability of such high-energy density beams for applications, e.g., in proton-driven fast ignition.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Chen
- LULI, École Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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12
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Sentoku Y, d'Humières E, Romagnani L, Audebert P, Fuchs J. Dynamic control over mega-ampere electron currents in metals using ionization-driven resistive magnetic fields. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2011; 107:135005. [PMID: 22026865 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.107.135005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of dynamically shaping mega-ampere electron currents generated in solids by ultraintense laser pulses in various conductor materials has been investigated. By tuning the target ionization dynamics, which depends both on the target material properties and on the input electron beam characteristics, we can control the growth of resistive magnetic fields that feedback on the current transport. As a result, collimation, hollowing, or filamentation of the electron beam can all be obtained. These results are beneficial for applications such as the production of secondary particles and radiation sources and fast ignition of inertial confinement fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Sentoku
- Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 89557, USA
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13
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Antici P, Chen SN, Gremillet L, Grismayer T, Mora P, Audebert P, Fuchs J. Time and space resolved interferometry for laser-generated fast electron measurements. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2010; 81:113302. [PMID: 21133464 DOI: 10.1063/1.3499250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
A technique developed to measure in time and space the dynamics of the electron populations resulting from the irradiation of thin solids by ultraintense lasers is presented. It is a phase reflectometry technique that uses an optical probe beam reflecting off the target rear surface. The phase of the probe beam is sensitive to both laser-produced fast electrons of low-density streaming into vacuum and warm solid density electrons that are heated by the fast electrons. A time and space resolved interferometer allows to recover the phase of the probe beam sampling the target. The entire diagnostic is computationally modeled by calculating the probe beam phase when propagating through plasma density profiles originating from numerical calculations of plasma expansion. Matching the modeling to the experimental measurements allows retrieving the initial electron density and temperature of both populations locally at the target surface with very high temporal and spatial resolution (~4 ps, 6 μm). Limitations and approximations of the diagnostic are discussed and analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Antici
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Via E. Fermi, Frascati 40-00044, Italy.
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14
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Buffechoux S, Psikal J, Nakatsutsumi M, Romagnani L, Andreev A, Zeil K, Amin M, Antici P, Burris-Mog T, Compant-La-Fontaine A, d'Humières E, Fourmaux S, Gaillard S, Gobet F, Hannachi F, Kraft S, Mancic A, Plaisir C, Sarri G, Tarisien M, Toncian T, Schramm U, Tampo M, Audebert P, Willi O, Cowan TE, Pépin H, Tikhonchuk V, Borghesi M, Fuchs J. Hot electrons transverse refluxing in ultraintense laser-solid interactions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2010; 105:015005. [PMID: 20867457 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.015005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2009] [Revised: 01/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
We have analyzed the coupling of ultraintense lasers (at ∼2×10{19} W/cm{2}) with solid foils of limited transverse extent (∼10 s of μm) by monitoring the electrons and ions emitted from the target. We observe that reducing the target surface area allows electrons at the target surface to be reflected from the target edges during or shortly after the laser pulse. This transverse refluxing can maintain a hotter, denser and more homogeneous electron sheath around the target for a longer time. Consequently, when transverse refluxing takes places within the acceleration time of associated ions, we observe increased maximum proton energies (up to threefold), increased laser-to-ion conversion efficiency (up to a factor 30), and reduced divergence which bodes well for a number of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Buffechoux
- LULI, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, CEA, UPMC, route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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