Study of hot electrons by measurement of optical emission from the rear surface of a metallic foil irradiated with ultraintense laser pulse

Efficient Generation of Axial Magnetic Field by Multiple Laser Beams with Twisted Pointing Directions

Strong laser-driven magnetic fields are crucial for high-energy-density physics and laboratory astrophysics research, but generation of axial multikilotesla fields remains a challenge. The difficulty comes from the inability of a conventional linearly polarized laser beam to induce the required azimuthal current or, equivalently, angular momentum (AM). We show that several laser beams can overcome this difficulty. Our three-dimensional kinetic simulations demonstrate that a twist in their pointing directions enables them to carry orbital AM and transfer it to the plasma, thus generating a hot electron population carrying AM needed to sustain the magnetic field. The resulting multikilotesla field occupies a volume that is tens of thousands of cubic microns and it persists on a picosecond timescale. The mechanism can be realized for a wide range of laser intensities and pulse durations. Our scheme is well suited for implementation using multikilojoule petawatt-class lasers, because, by design, they have multiple beamlets and because the scheme requires only linear polarization.

Demonstration of Coherent Terahertz Transition Radiation from Relativistic Laser-Solid Interactions

Coherent transition radiation in the terahertz (THz) region with energies of sub-mJ/pulse has been demonstrated by relativistic laser-driven electron beams crossing the solid-vacuum boundary. Targets including mass-limited foils and layered metal-plastic targets are used to verify the radiation mechanism and characterize the radiation properties. Observations of THz emissions as a function of target parameters agree well with the formation-zone and diffraction model of transition radiation. Particle-in-cell simulations also well reproduce the observed characteristics of THz emissions. The present THz transition radiation enables not only a potential tabletop brilliant THz source, but also a novel noninvasive diagnostic for fast electron generation and transport in laser-plasma interactions.

Direct, absolute, and in situ measurement of fast electron transport via Cherenkov emission

We present direct measurements of the absolute energy distribution of relativistic electrons generated in intense, femtosecond laser interaction with a solid. Cherenkov emission radiated by these electrons in a novel prism target is spectrally dispersed to obtain yield and energy distribution of electrons simultaneously. A crucial advance is the observation of high density electron current as predicted by particle simulations and its transport as it happens inside the target. In addition, the strong sheath potential present at the rear side of the target is inferred from a comparison of the electron spectra derived from Cherenkov light observation with that from a magnet spectrometer.

Characterization of two distinct, simultaneous hot electron beams in intense laser-solid interactions

The transport of energetic electron beams generated from aluminum foils irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses has been studied by imaging coherent transition radiation from the rear side of the target. Two distinct beams of MeV electrons are emitted from the target rear side at the same time. This measurement indicates that two different mechanisms, namely resonance absorption and jxB heating, accelerate the electrons at the targets front side and drive them to different directions, with different temperatures. This interpretation is consistent with 3D-particle-in-cell simulations.

Characteristics of relativistic electron mirrors generated by an ultrashort nonadiabatic laser pulse from a nanofilm

For controllable generation of an isolated attosecond relativistic electron bunch [relativistic electron mirror (REM)] with nearly solid-state density, we proposed [V. V. Kulagin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 124801 (2007)] to use a solid nanofilm illuminated normally by an ultraintense femtosecond laser pulse having a sharp rising edge (nonadiabatic laser pulse). In this paper, the REM characteristics are investigated in a regular way for a wide range of parameters. With the help of two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, it is shown that, in spite of Coulomb forces, all of the electrons in the laser spot can be synchronously accelerated to ultrarelativistic velocities by the first half-cycle of the field, which has large enough amplitude. For the process of the REM generation, we also verify a self-consistent one-dimensional theory, which we developed earlier (cited above) and which takes into account Coulomb forces, radiation of the electrons, and laser amplitude depletion. This theory shows a good agreement with the results of the 2D PIC simulations. Finally, the scaling of the REM dynamical parameters with the field amplitude and the nanofilm thickness is analyzed.

Theoretical investigation of controlled generation of a dense attosecond relativistic electron bunch from the interaction of an ultrashort laser pulse with a nanofilm

For controllable generation of an isolated attosecond relativistic electron bunch [relativistic electron mirror (REM)] with nearly solid-state density, we propose using a solid nanofilm illuminated normally by an ultraintense femtosecond laser pulse having a sharp rising edge. With two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we show that, in spite of Coulomb forces, all of the electrons in the laser spot can be accelerated synchronously, and the REM keeps its surface charge density during evolution. We also developed a self-consistent 1D theory, which takes into account Coulomb forces, radiation of the electrons, and laser amplitude depletion. This theory allows us to predict the REM parameters and shows a good agreement with the 2D PIC simulations.

Polarization of Healpha radiation due to anisotropy of fast-electron transport in ultraintense-laser-produced plasmas

An atomic kinetics code is developed to gain insight into the generation of polarized Healpha by fast electron transport relevant to fast ignition. The calculation predicts a very small polarization in the dense region (>or=100 times the critical density) due to frequent elastic transitions between magnetic sublevels, while high polarization is observable in the low density region (<or=10 times the critical density). It is inferred that fast electrons are collimated due to electromagnetic instability, resulting in the generation of anisotropic fast electrons along the propagation axis in the low density region.

Study of ultraintense laser-produced fast-electron propagation and filamentation in insulator and metal foil targets by optical emission diagnostics

The transport of an intense electron beam produced by ultrahigh intensity laser pulses through metals and insulators has been studied by high resolution imaging of the optical emission from the targets. In metals, the emission is mainly due to coherent transition radiation, while in plastic, it is due to the Cerenkov effect and it is orders of magnitude larger. It is also observed that in the case of insulators the fast-electron beam undergoes strong filamentation and the number of filaments increases with the target thickness. This filamented behavior in insulators is due to the instability of the ionization front related to the electric field ionization process. The filamentary structures characteristic growth rate and characteristic transversal scale are in agreement with analytical predictions.

Fundamental and harmonic emission from the rear side of a thin overdense foil irradiated by an intense ultrashort laser pulse

The emission of fundamental and harmonic radiation from the rear side of thin foils in the thickness range 50-460 nm irradiated by intense frequency doubled Ti:sapphire laser pulses of the duration of 150 fs and intensities up to a few 10(18) W/cm(2) was investigated. Following up a previous study of the rear side harmonic emission [Teubner, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 185001 (2004)], we measured the emission efficiencies, polarization properties, and the spectral shapes of the fundamental frequency and the second harmonic. Rear side emission is only observed when the obliquely incident laser light is p -polarized. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations indicate that the foils remain strongly overdense during the interaction with the laser pulse and that the rear side emission is caused by energetic electron bunches which are generated at the front side by resonance absorption. They are accelerated into the foil and drive strong plasma oscillations at the fundamental and higher harmonic frequencies.

Study of electron-beam propagation through preionized dense foam plasmas

The transport of an intense electron-beam produced by the Vulcan petawatt laser through dense plasmas has been studied by imaging with high resolution the optical emission due to electron transit through the rear side of coated foam targets. It is observed that the MeV-electron beam undergoes strong filamentation and the filaments organize themselves in a ringlike structure. This behavior has been modeled using particle-in-cell simulations of the laser-plasma interaction as well as of the transport of the electron beam through the preionized plasma. In the simulations the filamentary structures are reproduced and attributed to the Weibel instability.