Efficient laser-overdense plasma coupling via surface plasma waves and steady magnetic field generation

Bigongiari, Alessandra; Raynaud, M.; Riconda, C.; Héron, A.; Macchi, Andrea

doi:10.1063/1.3646520

Cited by 40 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We presented a new scheme for the production of strong quasi-stationary magnetic field, bound in plasma structures, in interaction of intense laser pulses with chiral targets. The scheme has some common features with the previous studies dealing with the laser generation of quasi-static magnetic fields in a specific interaction geometry [23,28]. Here, we make a step in this direction toward more complex three-dimensional target geometries, which possess high symmetry and are more suitable for particle acceleration and astrophysical applications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is demonstrated that targets with a broken rotational symmetry may facilitate the generation of a strong axial (poloidal) magnetic field. An intense laser beam irradiating such a target creates strong electron currents carrying vorticity and producing strong spontaneous magnetic fields. Combined with laser-based acceleration schemes, such targets may be used for generation and guiding of magnetized, collimated particle or plasma beams.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In Ref. (18,19) however, particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of laser interaction with a grating target (designed for resonant SW excitation according to linear, non-relativistic theory) suggested the possibility of SW coupling at high intensity and showed a strong enhancement of both absorption and energetic electron and ion emission.…”

Section: Grating Targetsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Laser plasma proton acceleration experiments using foam-covered and grating targets

et al. 2013

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Experimental results are reported for two different configurations of laser driven ion acceleration using solid targets with a structured layer on the irradiated side. Two experimental campaigns have been performed exploiting the 100TW 25fs Ti:Sa UHI-100 laser pulse at CEA Saclay. The use of a double plasma mirror allowed a contrast ratio of > 1012 so that the structures of the front surface withstanded the prepulse. ”Foam” targets have been manufactured by depositing a 10 μm nanostructured carbon foam with an average density of 1-5 mg/cm3 on a 1 μm thick aluminium foil. At maximum focalization, corresponding to an intensity of 1019 W/cm2. the foam targets gave a maximum proton energy similar to the case of bare aluminium target (about 6 MeV). Reducing the intensity by moving the target from the best focus plane, the presence of the foam enhanced the maximum proton energy, obtaining about 1.5MeV vs. 500KeV with a target 500 μm from the best focus, corresponding to an intensity of 5 · 1016 W/cm2. ”Grating” targets have been manufactured by engraving thin mylar foils (0.9, 20 and 40 μm) with a regular modulation having 1.6 μm period and 0.5 μm depth. The periodicity of the grating corresponds to a resonant incident angle of 30 degrees for the excitation of surface waves. Considering a target of 20 micron and changing the angle of incidence from 10 to 45 degrees, a broad maximum in the proton energy cut-off was observed around the resonant angle. The proton energy cut-off was up to 5 MeV for a laser intensity of 1019 W/cm2. As suggested by numerical simulation, radiochromic films placed 300 degrees around the target showed a very intense electron signal suggesting the presence of a peak emission tangent to the target only in presence of the grating. The experiments have been supported by the LaserLAB EU access scheme

show abstract

“…These enhancements have been attributed to enhanced Brunel [72,98], resonant excitation of surface plasma waves [117][118][119][120] or local field enhancement via Mie resonance [121,122] depending on the specifics of each study. Without simulations, it is a priori difficult to surmise which of these effects (if any) are dominant for our targets of interest or which scale surface perturbations affect the various observations in the specular pulse properties.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For targets with initial surface perturbations (i.e. roughness), significant enhancements in absorption have been reported which have typically been attributed to enhanced Brunel [72,98], resonant excitation of surface plasma waves [117][118][119][120] or local field enhancement via Mie resonance [121,122] depending on the specifics of each study. Therefore, great care…”

Section: High-contrastmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specular Reflectivity and Hot-Electron Generation in High-Contrast Relativistic Laser-Plasma Interactions

Kemp

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ultra-intense laser (> 10 18 W/cm 2 ) interactions with matter are capable of producing relativistic electrons which have a variety of applications in state-of-the-art scientific and medical research conducted at universities and national laboratories across the world. Control of various aspects of these hot-electron distributions is highly desired to optimize a particular outcome. Hot-electron generation in low-contrast interactions, where significant amounts of under-dense pre-plasma are present, can be plagued by highly non-linear relativistic laser-plasma instabilities and quasi-static magnetic field generation, often resulting in less than desirable and predictable electron source characteristics. High-contrast interactions offer more controlled interactions but often at the cost of overall lower coupling and increased sensitivity to initial target conditions. An experiment studying the differences in hot-electron generation between high and low-contrast pulse interactions with solid density targets was performed on the Titan laser platform at the Jupiter Laser Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. To date, these hot-electrons generated in the laboratory are not directly observable at the source of the interaction. Instead, indirect studies are performed using state-of-the-art simulations, constrained by the various experimental measurements. These measurements, more-often-than-not, rely on secondary processes generated by the transport of these electrons through the solid density materials which can susceptible to a variety instabilities and target material/geometry effects. Although often neglected in these types of studies, the specularly reflected light can provide invaluable insight as it is directly influenced by the interaction.In this thesis, I address the use of (personally obtained) experimental specular reflectivity measurements to indirectly study hot-electron generation in the context of high-contrast, ii relativistic laser-plasma interactions. Spatial, temporal and spectral properties of the incident and specular pulses, both near and far away from the interaction region where experimental measurements are obtained, are used to benchmark simulations designed to infer dominant hot-electron acceleration mechanisms and their corresponding energy/angular distributions. To handle this highly coupled interaction, I employed particle-in-cell modeling using a wide variety of algorithms (verified to be numerically stable and consistent with analytic expressions) and physical models (validated by experimental results) to reasonably model the interaction's sweeping range of plasma densities, temporal and spatial scales, G. E. Kemp, et al, Experimental and LSP modeling of pre-pulse effects on the laser-plasma interaction by a 527 nm laser pulse,

show abstract

Efficient laser-overdense plasma coupling via surface plasma waves and steady magnetic field generation

Cited by 40 publications

References 43 publications

Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

Laser plasma proton acceleration experiments using foam-covered and grating targets

Specular Reflectivity and Hot-Electron Generation in High-Contrast Relativistic Laser-Plasma Interactions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About