Physics of Laser Driven Relativistic Plasmas, Energetic X-rays, Proton Beams and Relativistic Electron Transport in Petawatt Laser Experiments

Physics of Laser Driven Relativistic Plasmas, Energetic X-rays, Proton Beams and Relativistic Electron Transport in Petawatt Laser Experiments PDF Author: Richard Adolph Snavely
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 494

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Relativistic Electron Beam Transport and Characteristics in Solid Density Plasmas

Relativistic Electron Beam Transport and Characteristics in Solid Density Plasmas PDF Author: J. King
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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The transport of intense relativistic beams in solid density plasma presently is actively being studied in laser laboratories around the world. The correct understanding of the transport enables further application of fast laser driven electrons to a host of interesting uses. Advanced x-ray sources, proton and ion beam generation and plasma heating in fast ignitor fusion all are owed their eventual utility to this transport. We report on measurements of relativistic transport over the whole of the transport region, via analysis of x-ray emission. Our experiments cover laser powers from Terawatt to Petawatt. Advances in transverse imaging of fluorescent k-alpha x-rays generated along the electron beam path are used to diagnose the electron emission. Additionally the spatial pattern of Bremsstrahlung x-rays provides clues into the physics of electron transport in above Alfven current limit beams. Issues regarding the electron distribution function will be discussed in light of possible electron transport anomalies. The initial experiments performed on the Nova Petawatt Laser System were those associated with determining the nature of the electrons and x-rays in this relativistic regime especially those useful for advanced radiography sources suitable for diagnostic use in dense high-Z dynamic processes or as the driver of a relativistic electron source in the Fast-Ignitor Inertial Confinement fusion concept. The development of very large arrays of thermoluminescent detectors is detailed along with their response. The characteristic pattern of x-rays and their intensity is found from detailed analysis of the TLD detector array data. Peak intensities as high as 2 Rads at 1 meter were measured with these shielded TLD arrays. An average energy yield of x-rays of 11 Joules indicates a very large fraction of 45-55% of the laser energy is absorbed into relativistic electrons. The pattern of x-ray distribution lends insight to the initial relativistic electron distribution function and subsequent transport inside solid density material. A theoretical-computational model (MPK) combining laser focal spot data with ponderomotive kinematics with Monte Carlo collisional transport is developed here, and is presented which associates the laser interaction to the observed x-ray data. There is good agreement between the MPK model and data exhibiting ponderomotive like x-rays is found. Additional agreement is had in comparison to recent electron transport experiment utilizing Cu fluorescence to map the electron flow.

Relativistically Intense Laser–Microplasma Interactions

Relativistically Intense Laser–Microplasma Interactions PDF Author: Tobias Ostermayr
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 303022208X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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This dissertation covers several important aspects of relativistically intense laser–microplasma interactions and some potential applications. A Paul-trap based target system was developed to provide fully isolated, well defined and well positioned micro-sphere-targets for experiments with focused peta-watt laser pulses. The laser interaction turned such targets into microplasmas, emitting proton beams with kinetic energies exceeding 10 MeV. The proton beam kinetic energy spectrum and spatial distribution were tuned by variation of the acceleration mechanism, reaching from broadly distributed spectra in relatively cold plasma expansions to spectra with relative energy spread as small as 20% in spherical multi-species Coulomb explosions and in directed acceleration processes. Numerical simulations and analytical calculations support these experimental findings and show how microplasmas may be used to engineer laser-driven proton sources. In a second effort, tungsten micro-needle-targets were used at a peta-watt laser to produce few-keV x-rays and 10-MeV-level proton beams simultaneously, both measured to have only few-μm effective source-size. This source was used to demonstrate single-shot simultaneous radiographic imaging with x-rays and protons of biological and technological samples. Finally, the dissertation discusses future perspectives and directions for laser–microplasma interactions including non-spherical target shapes, as well as thoughts on experimental techniques and advanced quantitative image evaluation for the laser driven radiography.

Laser-Driven Relativistic Plasmas Applied to Science, Industry and Medicine

Laser-Driven Relativistic Plasmas Applied to Science, Industry and Medicine PDF Author: Paul R. Bolton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 484

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Selected papers from the Second International Symposium on Laser-Driven Relativistic Plasmas Applied to Science, Industry and Medicine, which was held at the Kansai Photon Science Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency--P. xii.

Frontiers in High Energy Density Physics

Frontiers in High Energy Density Physics PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030908637X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
Recent scientific and technical advances have made it possible to create matter in the laboratory under conditions relevant to astrophysical systems such as supernovae and black holes. These advances will also benefit inertial confinement fusion research and the nation's nuclear weapon's program. The report describes the major research facilities on which such high energy density conditions can be achieved and lists a number of key scientific questions about high energy density physics that can be addressed by this research. Several recommendations are presented that would facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy for realizing these research opportunities.

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications

Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications PDF Author: Paul McKenna
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3319000381
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Applications covers the fundamental and applied aspects of high power laser-plasma physics. With an internationally renowned team of authors, the book broadens the knowledge of young researchers working in high power laser-plasma science by providing them with a thorough pedagogical grounding in the interaction of laser radiation with matter, laser-plasma accelerators, and inertial confinement fusion. The text is organised such that the theoretical foundations of the subject are discussed first, in Part I. In Part II, topics in the area of high energy density physics are covered. Parts III and IV deal with the applications to inertial confinement fusion and as a driver of particle and radiation sources, respectively. Finally, Part V describes the principle diagnostic, targetry, and computational approaches used in the field. This book is designed to give students a thorough foundation in the fundamental physics of laser-plasma interactions. It will also provide readers with knowledge of the latest research trends and elucidate future exciting challenges in laser-plasma science.

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.

Laser Physics at Relativistic Intensities

Laser Physics at Relativistic Intensities PDF Author: A.V. Borovsky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662052423
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
For the first time in a book, this monograph describes relativistic and charge-displacement self-channelling, which is the major finding in the physics of superintense laser beams. It also presents general nonlinear models of lasers - plasma interactions specifically in the case of extremely high intensities.

Atoms, Solids, and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser Fields

Atoms, Solids, and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser Fields PDF Author: Dimitri Batani
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461513510
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 409

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Book Description
The recent developement of high power lasers, delivering femtosecond pulses of 20 2 intensities up to 10 W/cm , has led to the discovery of new phenomena in laser interactions with matter. At these enormous laser intensities, atoms, and molecules are exposed to extreme conditions and new phenomena occur, such as the very rapid multi photon ionization of atomic systems, the emission by these systems of very high order harmonics of the exciting laser light, the Coulomb explosion of molecules, and the acceleration of electrons close to the velocity of light. These phenomena generate new behaviour of bulk matter in intense laser fields, with great potential for wide ranging applications which include the study of ultra-fast processes, the development of high-frequency lasers, and the investigation of the properties of plasmas and condensed matter under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. In particular, the concept of the "fast ignitor" approach to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) has been proposed, which is based on the separation of the compression and the ignition phases in laser-driven ICF. The aim of this course on "Atom, Solids and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser fields" was to bring together senior researchers and students in atomic and molecular physics, laser physics, condensed matter and plasma physics, in order to review recent developments in high-intensity laser-matter interactions. The course was held at the Ettore Majorana International Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice from July 8 to July 14,2000.

Dissertation Abstracts International

Dissertation Abstracts International PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 854

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