High-directional laser-plasma-induced X-ray source assisted by collimated electron beams in targets with a self-generated magnetic field

Abstract

Advances in ultra-intense laser pulse and plasma diagnostic technologies have fostered tremendous progress in the high-performance X-ray photon source. In this paper, we proposed a novel cone-attached sandwich target with a sharp density gradient, which can guide and reflect much laser pulse to the target, to get a high-directional and micro-sized laser-plasma-induced X-ray source with a smaller divergence angle and higher brilliance. 2D PIC simulations were performed to investigate the laser-plasma-induced X-ray photon emissions in the proposed target at a laser intensity of 2.5 ×1020 W/cm2. Results indicated that most of the high-directional photons were radiated by the forward-moving fast electrons. Although the accelerated electrons will experience slightly transverse oscillations due to the electric field of the laser pulse, they will be guided and confined by the self-generated magnetic field (311 MG) along the interface of the proposed target, and then the divergence angle of the fast electrons can be deceased as well. These underlying mechanisms enhance the X-ray photon emissions in the proposed target, which show a promising application in high energy density physics and inertial confinement fusion field.