Overview of ELI-NP status and laser commissioning experiments with 1 PW and 10 PW class-lasers

Abstract

In the last decade, the laser intensity has reached up to 1021 Wcm−2 on focus allowing the generation of new phenomena, which are relevant not only in basic physics research but also in applied science with great benefit to the society. In this regard, in 2006, the Extreme Light Infrastructure project was considered in the roadmap of ESFRI with the aim of creating European research centers for cutting-edge studies. From the three pillars under development, the Romanian one, denominated ELI-NP (Extreme Light Infrastructure Nuclear Physics), will be broadly studying the laser-plasma interaction by employing a 10 PW class-laser with the intent of studying the behavior of matter exposed at extreme light intensities and consequently producing specific ion and gamma-ray sources of relevance for nuclear physics. For instance, phenomena like the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) and the Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA) will be widely investigated in a new regime in which Quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects start to play a significant role. Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations and theoretical models predict ion beams with energies up to sub-GeV/u and gamma-ray pulses of the order of few petawatts from a 10 PW laser beam (i.e. laser intensity of about 1023 Wcm−2). Further, multi-GeV electron beams of quality suitable for applications are expected to be attained from gas targets via LWFA (Laser Wakefield Acceleration). The active investigation which will be pursued in the coming years at ELI-NP will certainly bring to the discovery of novel physics phenomena and several applications. The commissioning of the experimental areas dedicated to research with high power lasers and a gradual entering in operation will take place during 2020–2021.