Abstract
The recent development of petawatt-class laser systems sets a focus on the development of ultra-thin free-standing targets to access enhanced particle acceleration schemes vital for future applications, such as, medical and laser-driven nuclear physics. Specific strategies are required to improve the laser-to-particle energy conversion efficiency and increase the maximum particle energy. One of the promising approaches is based on the target design optimization; either by tuning key parameters which will strongly affect the laser-matter interaction process (e.g., material, composition, density, thickness, lateral dimensions, and shape) or by using micro/nanostructures on the target surface. At ELI-NP, considerable efforts are dedicated to extend the target capabilities beyond simple planar target design and develop complex targets with tailored properties suitable for high-power laser-plasma interaction experiments, as well as for studies with gamma and positrons beams. The paper provides an overview of the manufacturing capabilities currently available within ELI-NP Targets Laboratory for providing users with certain types of solid targets, specifically micro/nanostructured gold and copper foils and microns thick, porous anodized alumina. Also, optimization studies of alternative patterns (micro/nanodots) on silicon substrate are presented for future implementation on metallic free-standing thin foils.
Highlights
As an integrated part of the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility, Target Laboratory provides the means for local fabrication, characterization, and microassembly of a broad range of solid targets
As an integrated part of the ELI-NP facility, Target Laboratory provides the means for local fabrication, characterization, and microassembly of a broad range of solid targets
Having an on-site Target Laboratory brings major benefits, e.g., avoiding the damage of fragile targets that usually occur during their transportation, meeting specific target requirements in terms of chemical stability and purity, and ongoing optimization of target key parameters
Summary
As an integrated part of the ELI-NP facility, Target Laboratory provides the means for local fabrication, characterization, and microassembly of a broad range of solid targets. Thorough characterization of targets just before the shot can be locally provided, including for commercial targets, in the case additional data are required for the running experiments. Depending on the complexity of the target, the fabrication process may take from few days (for supported thin films, multilayered samples) up to few months (for nanostructured, ultra-thin free-standing targets). Due to the large sample areas accepted by the existing (on-site) equipment used in the manufacturing and characterization steps (up to 6 inch in diameter), a relatively large number of solid targets can be obtained in a single process
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