Multi probes measurements at the PALS Facility Research Centre during high intense laser pulse interactions with various target materials

Massimo De Marco,J Limpouch ,M Pfeifer ,J Dostál ,D Klír ,R De Angelis ,A Velyhan ,J Krása ,J Cikhardt ,F Consoli ,R Dudžák ,A Picciotto ,M Krůs ,D Margarone ,G Korn

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201816703009

Abstract

During the interaction of high intense laser pulse with solid target, a large amount of hot electrons is produced and a giant Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is generated due to the current flowing into the system target–target holder, as well as due to the escaping charged particles in vacuum. EMP production for different target materials is investigated inside and outside the target chamber, using monopole antenna, super wide-band microstrip antenna and Moebius antenna. The EMP consists in a fast transient magnetic field lasting hundreds of nanosecond with frequencies ranging from MHz to tens of GHz. Measurements of magnetic field and return target current in the range of kA were carried out by an inductive target probe (Cikhardt J. et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 85 (2014) 103507).

Highlights

When high intense laser pulse interacts with a solid target a strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is generated
During the interaction of high intense laser pulse with solid target, a large amount of hot electrons is produced and a giant Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is generated due to the current flowing into the system target–target holder, as well as due to the escaping charged particles in vacuum
The main sources of EMP are the return target current flowing through the target holder and the charged particles escaping into the vacuum; both these EMP sources are directly connected with hot electrons escaping the plasma [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]

Summary

Introduction

When high intense laser pulse interacts with a solid target a strong electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is generated. The presence of the EMP inside the vacuum chamber as well as in the experimental hall can cause problems with sensitive diagnostics, sophisticated data acquisition systems and, in some case, even disruptions of electronic devices can occur. The generation of this harmful EMP depends on laser pulse characteristics, target material and shape of the target chamber as well as accessories located within it. This contribution reports measurement carried out at PALS facility and it is focused on characterizing the magnetic field using different antennas

Method and results

Conclusions