Experimental Studies of Laser Driven Proton Acceleration from Ultrashort and Highly Intense Laser Pulse Interaction with Overdense Plasma

Experimental Studies of Laser Driven Proton Acceleration from Ultrashort and Highly Intense Laser Pulse Interaction with Overdense Plasma PDF Author: Donghoon Kuk
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description
The generation of high current multi-MeV protons and ions by irradiation of short pulse high intense laser on an ultra-thin target has been observed and subjected great interest in recent. When ultra-thin overdense target is irradiated by focused ultraintense laser pulse, hot electrons are generated by various mechanisms and they generate energetic ion beams. In TNSA, a quasi-electrostatic field is produced on the target rear surface when the the laser pulse interacts with overdense target, driving hot electrons go torward the target rear surface. However, this mechanism results in a range of field gradients leading to a broad proton energy distribution typically. To overcome the issue, an alternative accelration mechanism has been presented to achieve the quasi-monoenergetic proton acceleration and the mechanism is called Radiation Pressure Acceleration. In the RPA, the radiation pressure push electrons into the target smoothly and setting up an electrostatic field by the laser pressure. In this thesis, we study two alternative experimental methods for the quasi-monoenergetic proton acceleration and find experimental feasibility of the presented methods from other research groups.

Experimental Studies of Laser Driven Proton Acceleration from Ultrashort and Highly Intense Laser Pulse Interaction with Overdense Plasma

Experimental Studies of Laser Driven Proton Acceleration from Ultrashort and Highly Intense Laser Pulse Interaction with Overdense Plasma PDF Author: Donghoon Kuk
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 318

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Book Description
The generation of high current multi-MeV protons and ions by irradiation of short pulse high intense laser on an ultra-thin target has been observed and subjected great interest in recent. When ultra-thin overdense target is irradiated by focused ultraintense laser pulse, hot electrons are generated by various mechanisms and they generate energetic ion beams. In TNSA, a quasi-electrostatic field is produced on the target rear surface when the the laser pulse interacts with overdense target, driving hot electrons go torward the target rear surface. However, this mechanism results in a range of field gradients leading to a broad proton energy distribution typically. To overcome the issue, an alternative accelration mechanism has been presented to achieve the quasi-monoenergetic proton acceleration and the mechanism is called Radiation Pressure Acceleration. In the RPA, the radiation pressure push electrons into the target smoothly and setting up an electrostatic field by the laser pressure. In this thesis, we study two alternative experimental methods for the quasi-monoenergetic proton acceleration and find experimental feasibility of the presented methods from other research groups.

High-Power Laser-Plasma Interaction

High-Power Laser-Plasma Interaction PDF Author: C. S. Liu
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108618227
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The field of high-power laser-plasma interaction has grown in the last few decades, with applications ranging from laser-driven fusion and laser acceleration of charged particles to laser ablation of materials. This comprehensive text covers fundamental concepts including electromagnetics and electrostatic waves, parameter instabilities, laser driven fusion,charged particle acceleration and gamma rays. Two important techniques of laser proton interactions including target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) and radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) are discussed in detail, along with their applications in the field of medicine. An analytical framework is developed for laser beat-wave and wakefield excitation of plasma waves and subsequent acceleration of electrons. The book covers parametric oscillator model and studies the coupling of laser light with collective modes.

Investigations of Field Dynamics in Laser Plasmas with Proton Imaging

Investigations of Field Dynamics in Laser Plasmas with Proton Imaging PDF Author: Thomas Sokollik
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642150403
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 126

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Book Description
Laser-driven proton beams are still in their infancy but already have some outstanding attributes compared to those produced in conventional accelerators. One such attribute is the typically low beam emittance. This allows excellent resolution in imaging applications like proton radiography. This thesis describes a novel imaging technique - the proton streak camera - that the author developed and first used to measure both the spatial and temporal evolution of ultra-strong electrical fields in laser-driven plasmas. Such investigations are of paramount importance for the understanding of laser-plasma interactions and, thus, for optimization of laser-driven particle acceleration. In particular, the present work investigated micrometer-sized spherical targets after laser irradiation. The confined geometry of plasmas and fields was found to influence the kinetic energy and spatial distribution of accelerated ions. This could be shown both in experimental radiography images and and in numerical simulations, one of which was selected for the cover page of Physical Review Letters.

Ion acceleration and extreme light field generation based on ultra-short and ultra–intense lasers

Ion acceleration and extreme light field generation based on ultra-short and ultra–intense lasers PDF Author: Liangliang Ji
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642540074
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 93

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Book Description
This book is dedicated to the relativistic (laser intensity above 1018 W/cm2) laser-plasma interactions, which mainly concerns two important aspects: ion acceleration and extreme-light-field (ELF). Based on the ultra-intense and ultra–short CP lasers, this book proposes a new method that significantly improves the efficiency of heavy-ion acceleration, and deals with the critical thickness issues of light pressure acceleration. More importantly, a series of plasma approaches for producing ELFs, such as the relativistic single-cycle laser pulse, the intense broad-spectrum chirped laser pulse and the ultra-intense isolated attosecond (10-18s) pulse are introduced. This book illustrates that plasma not only affords a tremendous accelerating gradient for ion acceleration but also serves as a novel medium for ELF generation, and hence has the potential of plasma-based optics, which have a great advantage on the light intensity due to the absence of device damage threshold.

Laser-driven Proton Beams

Laser-driven Proton Beams PDF Author: Ceri M. Brenner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This thesis reports on investigations of proton acceleration driven by the interaction of short, intense laser pulses with thin, solid targets. Laser-driven plasma interactions are used to establish accelerating quasi-electrostatic field gradients, on the rear surface of the target, that are orders of magnitude higher than the current limit of conventional, radio-frequency-based accelerator technology. The resulting high energy (multi-MeV) proton beams are highly laminar, have ultra-low emittance, and the inherently broad energy spectrum is particularly effective for use in proton imaging, heating and transmutation applications. This thesis reports on a series of investigations carried out to explore routes towards control of the spectral properties of laser-driven proton sources and optimisation of laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency. The dependence of laser accelerated proton beam properties on laser energy and focal spot size in the interaction of an intense laser pulse with an ultra-thin foil is explored at laser intensities of 1016-1018 W/cm2. The results indicate that whilst the maximum proton energy is dependent on both these laser pulse parameters, the total number of protons accelerated is primarily related to the laser pulse energy. A modification to current analytical models of the proton acceleration, to take account of lateral transport of electrons on the target rear surface, is suggested to account for the experimental findings. The thesis also reports on an investigation of optical control of laser-driven proton acceleration, in which two relativistically intense laser pulses, narrowly separated in time, are used. This novel approach is shown to deliver a significant enhancement in the coupling of laser energy to medium energy (5-30 MeV) protons, compared to single pulse irradiation. The 'double-pulse' mechanism of proton acceleration is investigated in combination with thin targets, for which refluxing of hot electrons between the target surfaces can lead to optimal conditions for coupling laser drive energy into the proton beam. A high laser-to-proton conversion efficiency is measured when the delay between the pulses is optimised at 1 ps. The subsequent effect of double-pulse drive on the angular distribution of the proton beam is also explored for thick targets.

Laser-Driven Sources of High Energy Particles and Radiation

Laser-Driven Sources of High Energy Particles and Radiation PDF Author: Leonida Antonio Gizzi
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030258505
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
This volume presents a selection of articles based on inspiring lectures held at the “Capri” Advanced Summer School, an original event conceived and promoted by Leonida Antonio Gizzi and Ralph Assmann that focuses on novel schemes for plasma-based particle acceleration and radiation sources, and which brings together researchers from the conventional accelerator community and from the high-intensity laser-matter interaction research fields. Training in these fields is highly relevant for ultra-intense lasers and applications, which have enjoyed dramatic growth following the development of major European infrastructures like the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) and the EuPRAXIA project. The articles preserve the tutorial character of the lectures and reflect the latest advances in their respective fields. The volume is mainly intended for PhD students and young researchers getting started in this area, but also for scientists from other fields who are interested in the latest developments. The content will also appeal to radiobiologists and medical physicists, as it includes contributions on potential applications of laser-based particle accelerators.

High-Energy-Density Physics

High-Energy-Density Physics PDF Author: R. Paul Drake
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540293140
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 542

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Book Description
This book has two goals. One goal is to provide a means for those new to high-energy-density physics to gain a broad foundation from one text. The second goal is to provide a useful working reference for those in the ?eld. This book has at least four possible applications in an academic c- text. It can be used for training in high-energy-density physics, in support of the growing number of university and laboratory research groups working in this area. It also can be used by schools with an emphasis on ultrafast lasers, to provide some introduction to issues present in all laser–target - perimentswithhigh-powerlasers,andwiththoroughcoverageofthematerial in Chap. 11 on relativistic systems. In addition, it could be used by physics, applied physics, or engineering departments to provide in a single course an introduction to the basics of ?uid mechanics and radiative transfer, with d- matic applications. Finally, it could be used by astrophysics departments for a similar purpose, with the parallel bene?t of training the students in the similarities and di?erences between laboratory and astrophysical systems. The notation in this text is deliberately sparse and when possible a given symbol has only one meaning. A de?nition of the symbols used is given in Appendix A. In various cases, additional subscripts are added to distinguish among cases of the same quantity, as for example in the use of ? and ? 1 2 to distinguish the mass density in two di?erent regions.

Proton Acceleration Experiment by High Intensity Laser Pulse Interaction with Solid Density Target at the Texas Petawatt Laser Facility

Proton Acceleration Experiment by High Intensity Laser Pulse Interaction with Solid Density Target at the Texas Petawatt Laser Facility PDF Author: Donghoon Kuk
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
In recent, high intensity laser pulse interaction with solid density matter has been studied in several laboratory and facilities. Multi-MeV proton and ion beams from plasma produced by this interaction is one important application research area of HEDP. In this thesis, the basic theory of hot electron generation associated with proton acceleration will be introduced. A basic proton acceleration mechanism called TNSA will be introduced with supplemental free plasma expansion model. To investigate proton acceleration at the Texas Petawatt Facility, the experimental set up and target alignmen will be introduced in the chapter 5. While the analysis of data acquired from this experiment is still unfinished, a brief result with RCF image will be introduced in chapter 6.

Laser-Plasma Acceleration

Laser-Plasma Acceleration PDF Author: Società italiana di fisica
Publisher: IOS Press
ISBN: 1614991294
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
Impressive progress has been made in the field of laser-plasma acceleration in the last decade, with outstanding achievements from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints. Closely exploiting the development of ultra-intense, ultrashort pulse lasers, laser-plasma acceleration has developed rapidly, achieving accelerating gradients of the order of tens of GeV/m, and making the prospect of miniature accelerators a more realistic possibility. This book presents the lectures delivered at the Enrico Fermi International School of Physics and summer school: "Laser-Plasma Acceleration" , held in Varenna, Italy, in June 2011. The school provided an opportunity for young scientists to experience the best from the worlds of laser-plasma and accelerator physics, with intensive training and hands-on opportunities related to key aspects of laser-plasma acceleration. Subjects covered include: the secrets of lasers; the power of numerical simulations; beam dynamics; and the elusive world of laboratory plasmas. The objective of the school was to establish a common knowledge base for the future laser-plasma accelerator community. These published proceedings aim to provide a wider community with a reference covering a wide range of topics, knowledge of which will be necessary to future research on laser-plasma acceleration. The book also provides references to selected existing literature for further reading.

Study of Relativistic Electrons Generated from Ultra-intense Laser-plasma Interaction Relevant to Laser Wakefield Acceleration and Fast Ignition Laser Fusion

Study of Relativistic Electrons Generated from Ultra-intense Laser-plasma Interaction Relevant to Laser Wakefield Acceleration and Fast Ignition Laser Fusion PDF Author: Mianzhen Mo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electrons
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
Ultra-intense (> 10^18 W/cm^2) laser interaction with matter is capable of producing relativistic electrons which have a variety of applications in scientific and medical research. Knowledge of various aspects of these hot electrons is important in harnessing them for various applications. Of particular interest for this thesis is the investigation of hot electrons generated in the areas of Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA) and Fast Ignition (FI). LWFA is a physical process in which electrons are accelerated by the strong longitudinal electrostatic fields that are formed inside the plasma cavities or wakes produced by the propagation of an ultra-intense laser pulse through an under-dense plasma. The accelerating E-fields inside the cavities are 1000 times higher than those of conventional particle accelerators and can accelerate electrons to the relativistic regime in a very short distance, on the order of a few millimeters. In addition, Betatron X-ray radiation can be produced from LWFA as a result of the transverse oscillations of the relativistic electrons inside the laser wakefield driven cavity. The pulse duration of Betatron radiation can be as short as a few femtoseconds, making it an ideal probe for measuring physical phenomena taking place on the time scale of femtoseconds. Experimental research on the electron acceleration of the LWFA has been conducted in this thesis and has led to the generation of mono-energetic electron bunches with peak energies ranging from a few hundreds of MeV to 1 GeV. In addition, the Betatron radiation emitted from LWFA was successfully characterized based on a technique of reflection off a grazing incidence mirror. Furthermore, we have developed a Betatron X-ray probe beamline based on the technique of K-shell absorption spectroscopy to directly measure the temporal evolution of the ionization states of warm dense aluminum. With this, we have achieved for the first time direct measurements of the ionization states of warm dense aluminum using Betatron X-ray radiation probing. Fast Ignition (FI) is an advanced scheme for inertial confinement fusion (ICF), in which the fuel ignition process is decoupled from its compression. Comparing with the conventional central hot-spot scheme for ICF, FI has the advantages of lower ignition threshold and higher gain. The success of FI relies on efficient energy coupling from the heating laser pulse to the hot electrons and subsequent transport of their energy to the compressed fuel. As a secondary part of this thesis, the transport of hot electrons in overdense plasma relevant to FI was studied. In particular, the effect of resistive layers within the target on the hot electron divergence and absorption was investigated. Experimental measurements were carried out and compared to simulations indicating minimal effect on the beam divergence but some attenuation through higher atomic number intermediate layers was observed.