Generation of GeV protons from 1 PW laser interaction with near critical density targets

The propagation of ultra intense laser pulses through matter is connected with the generation of strong moving magnetic fields in the propagation channel as well as the formation of a thin ion filament along the axis of the channel. Upon exiting the plasma the magnetic field displaces the electrons at the back of the target, generating a quasistatic electric field that accelerates and collimates ions from the filament. Two-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulations show that a 1 PW laser pulse tightly focused on a near-critical density target is able to accelerate protons up to an energy of 1.3 GeV. Scaling laws and optimal conditions for proton acceleration are established considering the energy depletion of the laser pulse.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figure

Magnetic field generation in laser-solid interactions at strong-field QED relevant intensities

Magnetic field generation in ultra-intense laser-solid interactions is studied over a range of laser intensities relevant to next-generation laser facilities ($a_0 = 50-500$) using 2D particle-in-cell simulations. It is found that fields on the order of 0.1 MT (1 GigaGauss) may be generated by relativistic electrons traveling along the surface of the target. However a significant fraction of the energy budget is converted to high-energy photons, ~38% at $a_0=500$, greatly reducing the available energy for field generation. A model for the evolution of the target-surface fields and their scaling with $a_0$ is developed using laser parameters and assumed values for the average radial electron velocity and reflectivity. The model and empirical scaling allow for the estimation of field strengths on the next generation of laser facilities, a necessary component to the proposal of any future magnetized experiment.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure

Ion acceleration from high intensity laser plasma interactions : measurements and applications

This thesis presents measurements of high energy ion beams accelerated from high intensity laser interactions, with underdense through to near critical density plasmas, and also presents an application of laser generated ion beams. The first experimental measurements of longitudinally accelerated ion beams from high intensity (-1020 Wcm-2 ) laser interactions with an underdense (0.04 ne) helium plasma are presented. The ion beam was found to have a maximum energy for He2+ of 40+3 _8 MeV, with the highest energy ions being collimated to a cone of less than 10ø. Two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that additional effects, due to the time varying magnetic field associated with the fast electron current, enhance the accelerating electric field and provides a focusing mechanism on the ions. Very low density foam targets were used to investigate proton acceleration from near to critical density plasmas. Experimental results show a decrease in acceleration efficiency just above the critical density. Simulations of the interactions show the proton acceleration is very sensitive to the ability of the laser to propagate through the plasma. The lowest density foams allow the best laser propagation, thus enabling proton beams to be accelerated to energy and numbers comparable to those from a solid target. The suitability of a laser generated proton beam for the measurement of self-generated magnetic fields in laser generated plasma has been investigated. The technique was then used to study a novel magnetic reconnection geometry lIsing two laser beams. Proton probing provides evidence for the formation of the reconnection layer and the corresponding instabilities.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Proton and Ion Beams Generated with Picosecond CO(2) Laser Pulses

I-TW, 6-ps, circularly polarized CO(2) laser pulses focused onto thin Al foils are used to drive ion acceleration. The spectra of ions and protons generated in the direction normal to the rear surface, detected with a compact magnet spectrometer with CR39, reveals a broad proton high-energy peak at similar to 1 MeV. This observation conforms to the theoretical predictions that circularly polarized laser pulses are less efficient than linearly polarized pulses in driving ion acceleration via the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. Instead, there is evidence that the circularly polarized laser may provide direct ponderomotive acceleration of ions and protons. We report also the first application of the BNL proton source in nano-science. Irradiation of graphite and graphene films produced local defects and membranes for variety of applications

Proton imaging of high-energy-density laboratory plasmas

Proton imaging has become a key diagnostic for measuring electromagnetic fields in high-energy-density (HED) laboratory plasmas. Compared to other techniques for diagnosing fields, proton imaging is a measurement that can simultaneously offer high spatial and temporal resolution and the ability to distinguish between electric and magnetic fields without the protons perturbing the plasma of interest. Consequently, proton imaging has been used in a wide range of HED experiments, from inertial-confinement fusion to laboratory astrophysics. An overview is provided on the state of the art of proton imaging, including a discussion of experimental considerations like proton sources and detectors, the theory of proton-imaging analysis, and a survey of experimental results demonstrating the breadth of applications. Topics at the frontiers of proton-imaging development are also described, along with an outlook on the future of the field

Narrow Energy Spread Protons and Ions from High-Intensity, High-Contrast Laser Solid Target Interactions

Recent simulations show that an idealized, high intensity, short pulse laser can generate quasi-monoenergetic proton beams with energies over 100 MeV in an interaction with a thin film [1]. However, most short pulse laser facilities with sufficient intensity have difficulty controlling the nanosecond and picosecond contrast necessary to realize such a regime. Experiments were performed to investigate proton and ion acceleration from a high contrast, short pulse laser by employing dual plasma mirrors along with a deformable mirror at the HERCULES laser facility at the Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences, University of Michigan. Plasma mirrors were characterized, allowing a 50% throughput with an intensity contrast increase of 10(5). The focal spot quality was also exceptional, showing a 1.1 micron full width at half maximum (FWHM) focal diameter. Experiments were done using temporally cleaned 30 TW, 32 fs pulses to achieve an intensity of up to 10(21)Wcm(-2) on Si(3)N(4) and Mylar targets with thicknesses ranging 50 nm to 13 microns. Proton beams with energy spreads below 2 MeV were observed from all thicknesses, peaking with energies up to 10.3 MeV and an energy spread of 0.8 MeV. Similar narrow energy spreads were observed for oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon at the silicon nitride thickness of 50 nm with energies up to 24 MeV with an energy spread of 3 MeV, whereas the energy spread is greatly increased at a larger thickness. Maximum energies were confirmed with CR39 track detectors, while a Thomson ion spectrometer was used to gauge the monoenergetic nature of the beam

Proton Probe Imaging of Fields Within a Laser-Generated Plasma Channel

The proton probing technique is used to image quasi-static electromagnetic fields present in the wake of a high-intensity short-pulse laser propagating through an underdense plasma. Bubblelike field structures form along the channel filaments and expand in time

Proton Probe Imaging of Fields Within a Laser-Generated Plasma Channel

The proton probing technique is used to image quasi-static electromagnetic fields present in the wake of a high-intensity short-pulse laser propagating through an underdense plasma. Bubblelike field structures form along the channel filaments and expand in time