Laser-based acceleration for nuclear physics experiments at ELI-NP

O Tesileanu,I Dancus,Th Asavei,N.V Zamfir,D Ursescu,I.C.E Turcu,F Negoita,S Gales,V Greco,F Rizzo,C Spitaleri,M La Cognata,S Pirrone

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201611705004

Abstract

As part of the Extreme Light pan-European research infrastructure, Extreme Light Infrastructure − Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) in Romania will focus on topics in Nuclear Physics, fundamental Physics and applications, based on very intense photon beams. Laser-based acceleration of electrons, protons and heavy ions is a prerequisite for a multitude of laser-driven nuclear physics experiments already proposed by the international research community. A total of six outputs of the dual-amplification chain laser system, two of 100TW, two of 1PW and two of 10PW will be employed in 5 experimental areas, with the possibility to use long and short focal lengths, gas and solid targets, reaching the whole range of laser acceleration processes. We describe the main techniques and expectations regarding the acceleration of electrons, protons and heavy nuclei at ELI-NP, and some physics cases for which these techniques play an important role in the experiments.

Highlights

Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is a distributed European research infrastructure dedicated to the generation and use in various experiments of extremely intense photon beams
The block diagram of Extreme Light Infrastructure − Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) presented in Fig.1 shows the large research equipment and the experimental areas with the corresponding science topics
The possibility to obtain extremely high acceleration gradients and accelerators of much reduced dimensions and costs is for sure a powerful driver for a very active research community

Summary

Introduction

Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is a distributed European research infrastructure dedicated to the generation and use in various experiments of extremely intense photon beams. ELI-PP reached the conclusion that, given the dimensions and extremely large scientific scope of the newly proposed research infrastructure, the best implementation strategy would be to adopt a distributed model, with the first three pillars to be hosted in three European countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. These will focus on laser development up to the 10PW level and the related scientific applications. HPLS will be constructed by an association between Thales Optronique SA France and Thales Romania It consists of a chirped pulse amplification system at ∼820nm central wavelength, with a dual front-end architecture (to minimize down-time for the laser facility). In order to create the conditions to attain the pointing stability specifications the building has a vibration-damped floor across the entire laser and experiments areas

Laser-based acceleration of particles

Acceleration of electrons

Acceleration of protons and heavy ions

Experimental areas and expected accelerated particles

Research proposals

Conclusions