Controlled Shock Shells and Intracluster Fusion Reactions in the Explosion of Large Clusters

The ion phase-space dynamics in the Coulomb explosion of very large ($\sim 10^6 - 10^7$ atoms) deuterium clusters can be tailored using two consecutive laser pulses with different intensities and an appropriate time delay. For suitable sets of laser parameters (intensities and delay), large-scale shock shells form during the explosion, thus highly increasing the probability of fusion reactions within the single exploding clusters. In order to analyze the ion dynamics and evaluate the intracluster reaction rate, a one-dimensional theory is used, which approximately accounts for the electron expulsion from the clusters. It is found that, for very large clusters (initial radius $\sim$ 100 nm), and optimal laser parameters, the intracluster fusion yield becomes comparable to the intercluster fusion yield. The validity of the results is confirmed with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Diversidade genética de Dorstenia elata Hook. (Moraceae) em um fragmento de floresta atlântica

Dorstenia é o segundo maior gênero da família Moraceae, contendo espécies endêmicas com qualidades medicinais e interesse farmacêutico. No Brasil, estão distribuídas entre os diversos biomas, inclusive na Floresta Atlântica, e são consideradas hotspot da biodiversidade (elevado nível de biodiversidade, endemismo e alto grau de degradação). Contudo, devido a ação humana, esta floresta vem tendo sua estrutura modificada, causando a redução da densidade entre as espécies, afetando o modo de reprodução, polinização e distribuição do fluxo gênico entre e dentro de populações. Estes fatos podem levar a uma diminuição da diversidade genética. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi caracterizar a diversidade genética entre e dentro de populações de Dosrtenia elata em um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica no estado do Espírito Santo. Foram coletados três agregados de indivíduos de D. elata no Parque Estadual Mata das Flores (Unidade de Conservação), no município de Castelo. Para a caracterização molecular, foram utilizados 12 primers ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats), onde os dados obtidos foram analisados e submetidos à analises estatísticas referentes a diversidade entre e dentro de populações. Para análises intrapopulacionais, foi calculada a matriz de distância entre pares de indivíduos, realizada o cálculo da correlação cofenética e gerado um dendrograma de agrupamento das populações, que evidenciaram a formação de dois grupos, o primeiro contendo a população 1 e 2, e o segundo contendo a população 3. Isto pode ter ocorrido em virtude da distância geográfica entre as populações amostradas. Para as análises interpopulacionais, foi realizada a análise de variância molecular, calculado o Índice de Shannon, a heterozigosidade total esperada e o fluxo gênico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a maior variabilidade genética foi observada dentro das populações, e o fluxo gênico foi alto tanto entre quanto dentro de populações, indicando que não está havendo perda de diversidade genética devido as barreiras antrópicas ou geográficas, e que o método de dispersão tem grande influência na distribuição da diversidade genética em populações de Dorstenia elata. Palavras-chave

Vorton Formation

In this paper we present the first analytic model for vorton formation. We start by deriving the microscopic string equations of motion in Witten's superconducting model, and show that in the relevant chiral limit these coincide with the ones obtained from the supersonic elastic models of Carter and Peter. We then numerically study a number of solutions of these equations of motion and thereby suggest criteria for deciding whether a given superconducting loop configuration can form a vorton. Finally, using a recently developed model for the evolution of currents in superconducting strings we conjecture, by comparison with these criteria, that string networks formed at the GUT phase transition should produce no vortons. On the other hand, a network formed at the electroweak scale can produce vortons accounting for up to 6% of the critical density. Some consequences of our results are discussed.Comment: 41 pages; color figures 3-6 not included, but available from authors. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Dynamics and control of the expansion of finite-size plasmas produced in ultraintense laser-matter interactions

The strong influence of the electron dynamics provides the possibility of controlling the expansion of laser-produced plasmas by appropriately shaping the laser pulse. A simple irradiation scheme is proposed to tailor the explosion of large deuterium clusters, inducing the formation of shock structures, capable of driving nuclear fusion reactions. Such a scenario has been thoroughly investigated, resorting to two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Furthermore, the intricate dynamics of ions and electrons during the collisionless expansion of spherical nanoplasmas has been analyzed in detail using a self-consistent ergodic-kinetic model. This study clarifies the transition from hydrodynamic-like to Coulomb-explosion regimes

Modelling radiation emission in the transition from the classical to the quantum regime

An emissivity formula is derived using the generalised Fermi-Weizacker-Williams method of virtual photons which accounts for the recoil the charged particle experiences as it emits radiation. It is found that through this derivation the formula obtained by Sokolov et al using QED perturbation theory is recovered. The corrected emissivity formula is applied to nonlinear Thomson scattering scenarios in the transition from the classical to the quantum regime, for small values of the nonlinear quantum parameter \chi. Good agreement is found between this method and a QED probabilistic approach for scenarios where both are valid. In addition, signatures of the quantum corrections are identified and explored.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, submitted for publicatio

Radiation in 1.5 GeV and 12 GeV laser wakefield acceleration stages from PIC simulations

WOS:000287176200029 (Nº de Acesso Web of Science)A massivelly parallel post-processing radiation diagnostic for PIC codes is presented, which is then used to study the main features of the radiation from single LWFA stages (1.5 GeV and 12 GeV). This diagnostic also allows to examine radiation signatures associated with the physics of self-injection

Magnetically assisted self-injection and radiation generation for plasma based acceleration

It is shown through analytical modeling and numerical simulations that external magnetic fields can relax the self-trapping thresholds in plasma based accelerators. In addition, the transverse location where self-trapping occurs can be selected by adequate choice of the spatial profile of the external magnetic field. We also find that magnetic-field assisted self-injection can lead to the emission of betatron radiation at well defined frequencies. This controlled injection technique could be explored using state-of-the-art magnetic fields in current/next generation plasma/laser wakefield accelerator experiments.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusio