Capillary Waveguide Research Articles

Observation of optical transition radiation from electron beams generated by laser plasma accelerator

Laser plasma accelerators (LPAs) have made great progress, achieving electron beam with energy up to 1 GeV from a centimeter scale capillary plasma waveguide. Here, we report the measurement of optical transition radiation (OTR) from the capillary-based LPA electron beams. Transition radiation images, produced by electrons passing through two separate foils (located at 2.3 m and 3.8 m away from the exit of the LPA) were recorded with a high resolution imaging system, respectively. Two magnetic quadrupole lenses were placed right after the capillary to focus and collimate the electron beams. Significant localized spikes appeared in the OTR images when the electron beam was focused by the magnetic quadrupole lenses, indicating the coherence of the radiation and the existence of ultrashort longitudinal structures inside the electron beam.

Laser wakefield compression and acceleration of externally injected electron bunches in guiding structures

AbstractFor the considered scheme of the external electron bunch injection in front of a laser pulse, the influence of the nonlinear driving laser pulse dynamics and electron bunch self-action to the processes of electron bunch compression and acceleration in the laser wakefield is analyzed. Self-consistent modelling results confirm that the nonlinear laser pulse dynamics limits the bunch compression due to variations of the phase velocity of the wake. A growth of the injected bunch charge leads to some extent to an increase of the trapped and accelerated bunch charge and to decrease of the trapped bunch radius and emittance due to increased self-focusing bunch. The three-dimensional theoretical model is elaborated and used to describe the propagation of laser pulses in dielectric capillary waveguides under imperfect coupling and focusing conditions with broken cylindrical symmetry. The role of cone entrances to the cylindrical part of a capillary is analyzed, and it is demonstrated that matching cones can considerably increase the transmission of laser pulses through the capillary, but cannot mitigate the requirements on the precision of the laser pulse focusing into a capillary. In order to avoid a speckle structure and strong transverse gradients of the fields, which can prevent the process of regular electron bunch acceleration, one has to ensure a small laser angle of incidence into the capillary not exceeding 1 mrad.

A photocatalytic reactor derived from microstructured polymer optical fiber preform

This paper reports a novel photocatalytic reactor having 547 pieces of TiO2 nanocrystal-film-modified capillaries, which is derived from a microstructured polymer optical fiber (MPOF) preform. The photocatalytic active TiO2 nanocrystal film is obtained by microwave processing of the TiO2 gel films in the MPOF preform. The MPOF preform not only plays a role as a light-transmitting media, also a TiO2 supporting and waste-water pipe to supply for photocatalytic degradation of toxic organic solute. The photocatalytic reactor has so large surface area for TiO2 loading that photodegradation efficiency is enhanced. As far as we know, the photocatalytic reactor based on the super-multi channels capillary waveguide arrays has not been reported before.

Straight and linearly tapered capillaries produced by femtosecond laser micromachining

AbstractGas-filled capillary discharge waveguides are a commonly employed medium in laser–plasma interaction applications, such as the laser wakefield accelerator, because they can simultaneously guide high-power laser pulses while acting as the medium for acceleration. In this paper, the production of both straight and linearly tapered capillaries using a femtosecond laser micromachining technique is presented. A tapered capillary is shown to possess a smooth variation in diameter (from 305 μm to 183 μm) along its entire 40 mm length, which would lead to a longitudinal plasma density gradient, thereby dramatically improving the laser–plasma interaction efficiency in applications. Efficient guiding with up to 82% energy transmission of the fundamental Gaussian mode of a low intensity, 50 fs duration laser pulse is shown for both types of capillary waveguide.

Linearly tapered discharge capillary waveguides as a medium for a laser plasma wakefield accelerator

Gas-filled capillary discharge waveguides are commonly used as media for plasma wakefield accelerators. We show that effective waveguides can be manufactured using a femtosecond laser micromachining technique to produce a linearly tapered plasma density, which enables the energy of the accelerator to be enhanced significantly. A laser guiding efficiency in excess of 82% at sub-relativistic intensities has been demonstrated in a 40 mm long capillary with a diameter tapering from 320 μm to 270 μm, which gives rise to an on-axis, time-averaged plasma density that varies from 1.0 × 1018 cm−3 to 1.6 × 1018 cm−3.

Synchrotron-based spectroscopy of X-ray channeling through hollow capillary microchannels inside glass plates

Here, soft X-ray synchrotron radiation transmitted through microchannel plates is studied experimentally. Fine structures of reflection and XANES Si L-edge spectra detected on the exit of silicon glass microcapillary structures under conditions of total X-ray reflection are presented and analyzed. The phenomenon of the interaction of channeling radiation with unoccupied electronic states and propagation of X-ray fluorescence excited in the microchannels is revealed. Investigations of the interaction of monochromatic radiation with the inner-shell capillary surface and propagation of fluorescence radiation through hollow glass capillary waveguides contribute to the development of novel X-ray focusing devices in the future.

Density evolution measurement of hydrogen plasma in capillary discharge by spectroscopy and interferometry methods

Plasma density is one of the most important parameters for laser wakefield acceleration using a gas-filled capillary waveguide. We measured the evolving hydrogen plasma densities in capillary discharge by using two different diagnostics methods at the same time, i.e., the Stark-effect-based spectroscopy and the transverse interferometry methods. It was found that there is a rather large difference between two methods and the phenomenon is explained in view of self-absorption. The correlation was obtained and the result is quite useful for capillary-plasma-based laser wakefield acceleration research.

Properties of a capillary discharge-produced argon plasma waveguide for shorter wavelength source application

We report the operation of a discharge-produced argon (Ar) plasma waveguide in an alumina (Al(2)O(3)) capillary to guide a 10(16)-W/cm(2) ultrashort laser pulse for shorter wavelength light sources at high repetition rate operation. The electron density in the plasma channel was measured to be 1 × 10(18) cm(-3). Modeling with a one-dimensional magnetrohydrodynamic code was used to evaluate the degree of ionization of Ar in the preformed plasma channel. The observed spectrum of the laser pulse after propagation in the argon plasma waveguide was not modified and was well reproduced by a particle in cell simulation.

Determination of Glyphosate in Water Samples by Multi-pumping Flow System Coupled to a Liquid Waveguide Capillary Cell

A simple screening method was developed for the determination of glyphosate in water samples using a multi-pumping flow system. The proposed method is based on the reaction between glyphosate and p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (p-DAC), in an acid medium where the reaction product can be measured spectrophotometrically at λ(max) = 495 nm. An experimental design methodology was used to optimize the measurement conditions. The proposed method was applied to the determination of glyphosate in water samples in a concentration range from 0.5 to 10 µg mL(-1). The limit of detection and quantification were 0.17 and 0.53 µg mL(-1), respectively. The results obtained (88.5 to 104.5%) in recovery studies for the determination of glyphosate in different water samples indicated good accuracy and no matrix effect for the developed method. Samples were also analyzed by a confirmatory HPLC method, and agreement within the two set of results was found.

Time-resolved plasma temperature measurements in a laser-triggered hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide

Temporally resolved, spatially integrated measurements of the temperature of the plasma channel formed by a hydrogen-filled discharge capillary waveguide are presented. Plasma temperatures of 4–7 eV are measured for peak discharge currents between 80 and 150 A. It is demonstrated that laser-triggering the capillary discharge enables capillary discharges with a peak current as low as 23 A to be driven, reducing the plasma temperature to approximately 3 eV. This plasma temperature meets the requirements of a recently proposed soft x-ray recombination laser.

Note: Femtosecond laser micromachining of straight and linearly tapered capillary discharge waveguides

Gas-filled capillary discharge waveguides are important structures in laser-plasma interaction applications, such as the laser wakefield accelerator. We present the methodology for applying femtosecond laser micromachining in the production of capillary channels (typically 200-300 μm in diameter and 30-40 mm in length), including the formalism for capillaries with a linearly tapered diameter. The latter is demonstrated to possess a smooth variation in diameter along the length of the capillary (tunable with the micromachining trajectories). This would lead to a longitudinal plasma density gradient in the waveguide that may dramatically improve the laser-plasma interaction efficiency in applications.

Laser wakefield acceleration of electron beams beyond 1 GeV from an ablative capillary discharge waveguide

Laser wakefield acceleration of electrons well beyond 1 GeV and optical guiding of ultraintense laser pulses of peak powers up to 160 TW over a 4-cm long ablative capillary discharge plasma channel were experimentally demonstrated. Electron beams, with energies up to 1.8 GeV, were generated by using the 130 TW, 55 fs driving laser pulses. A comparison of oxygen-containing acrylic resin (C:O:H = 4:2:7) capillary and no oxygen-containing polyethylene (C:O:H = 1:0:2) capillary measurements suggests that the injection of electron into the laser wakefield is assisted by the ionization of oxygen K-shell electrons.

A high voltage pulsed power supply for capillary discharge waveguide applications

We present an all solid-state, high voltage pulsed power supply for inducing stable plasma formation (density ∼10(18) cm(-3)) in gas-filled capillary discharge waveguides. The pulser (pulse duration of 1 μs) is based on transistor switching and wound transmission line transformer technology. For a capillary of length 40 mm and diameter 265 μm and gas backing pressure of 100 mbar, a fast voltage pulse risetime of 95 ns initiates breakdown at 13 kV along the capillary. A peak current of ∼280 A indicates near complete ionization, and the r.m.s. temporal jitter in the current pulse is only 4 ns. Temporally stable plasma formation is crucial for deploying capillary waveguides as plasma channels in laser-plasma interaction experiments, such as the laser wakefield accelerator.

Semiconductor-doped liquid-core optical fiber

A semiconductor liquid-core optical fiber has been made by simply filling the hollow core of a capillary waveguide with nanoparticles suspended in toluene media. Under a low continuous optical power excitation at 532 nm, the emission of PbSe particles was clearly demonstrated in the infrared region and then partially maintained in the core of the fiber by the total internal reflection mechanism. Finally, due to the guided propagation, which results in multiple absorption effects, a linear shift of the emission peak toward longer wavelengths was observed (~0.32 nm/cm). As a proof of concept, this original demonstration of visible-to-infrared conversion could lead to the development of active fibered devices at wavelengths not covered by the conventional rare-earth ion doping.

Observation and numerical analysis of plasma parameters in a capillary discharge-produced plasma channel waveguide

We observed the parameters of the discharge-produced plasma in cylindrical capillary. Plasma parameters of the waveguide were investigated by use of both a Normarski laser interferometer and a hydrogen plasma line spectrum. A space-averaged maximum temperature of 3.3 eV with electron densities of the order of 1017 cm−3 was observed at a discharge time of 150 ns and a maximum discharge current of 200 A. One-dimensional dissipative magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code was used to analyze the discharge dynamics in the gas-filled capillary discharge waveguide for high-intensity laser pulses. Simulations were performed for the conditions of the experiment. We compared the temporal behavior of the electron temperature and the radial electron density profiles, measured in the experiment with the results of the numerical simulations. They occurred to be in a good agreement. An ultrashort, intense laser pulse was guided by use of this plasma channel.

Coaxial fiber-optic chemical-sensing excitation–emission matrix fluorometer

Great reductions in the overall size and complexity of high throughput multichannel UV-visible fluorometers were achieved by coupling a compact optical fiber array to compact dispersive transmission optics. The coaxial configuration centers on the insertion of a silica/silica optical fiber into the hollow region of a UV-fused silica capillary waveguide. The outer core delivers the maximum power of the narrow wavelength region of the excitation spectrum created by coupling a xenon arc discharge lamp to a compact spectrometer. The molecular fluorescence resulting from the interaction of light emitted at the distal end of the hollow waveguide and the sample matrix is received and transmitted to a CCD via a compact dispersive grating-prism (grism) optical assembly. A linear array of the coaxial optical fibers permits a full excitation-emission matrix spectrum of the analyte matrix to be projected onto the face of the CCD. The in situ identification and monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was carried out for the initial application testing for this prototype.

Density measurement and MHD simulation ofgas-filled capillary discharge waveguide

To accelerate the electrons efficiently in the laser wake-field accelerator, it is necessary to suppress the instability induced by the diffraction and the defocusing of the laser pulse. The gas-filled capillary discharge waveguide can generate an approximately parabolic density distribution, which can guide the laser pulse efficiently and suppress the instability. Using the Stark effect, this plasma density distribution is measured in this paper, and the relationship between plasma density and filled pressure is presented. By using the MHD code CRMHA, the formation of the capillary waveguide is simulated and researched in detail.

Multimode metal-lined capillaries for Raman collection and sensing

Reflective metal-lined capillary waveguides are useful for laser-power delivery or for collecting scattered light in sensing applications. We theoretically examine the multimode propagation of polarized light in large-diameter, metallized, capillary waveguides using a new perturbation technique valid for all waveguide modes. This modeling permits prediction of the collection efficiency of Raman or fluorescent light produced in the waveguide at all angles. These theoretical results are supported by measuring the intensity and angular distribution of collected scattered gas–Raman Stokes power.

Carbon dioxide gas sensor derived from a 547-hole microstructured polymer optical fiber preform

In this Letter, we report a carbon dioxide gas sensor having 547 pieces of thin-film modified capillaries, which are derived from a microstructured polymer optical fiber preform. Compared with the conventional absorption-based sensor, the monolithic polymer capillary waveguide arrays have better sensitivity, because the huge sensing surfaces, composed of 547 pieces of dye-indicator-doped porous ethyl cellulose layers, interact directly with the gas molecules. As far as we know, a gas sensor based on multichannel capillary waveguide arrays has not been reported before.

Light absorption properties and absorption budget of Southeast Pacific waters

Absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles (NAPs), and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and their relative contributions to total light absorption, are essential variables for bio‐optical and biogeochemical models. However, their actual variations in the open ocean remain poorly documented, particularly for clear waters because of the difficulty in measuring very low absorption coefficients. The Biogeochemistry and Optics South Pacific Experiment (BIOSOPE) cruise investigated a large range of oceanic regimes, from mesotrophic waters around the Marquesas Islands to hyperoligotrophic waters in the subtropical gyre and eutrophic waters in the upwelling area off Chile. The spectral absorption coefficients of phytoplankton and NAPs were determined using the filter technique, while the CDOM absorption coefficients were measured using a 2 m capillary waveguide. Over the whole transect, the absorption coefficients of both dissolved and particulate components covered approximately two orders of magnitude; in the gyre, they were among the lowest ever reported for open ocean waters. In the oligotrophic and mesotrophic waters, absorption coefficients of phytoplankton and NAPs were notably lower than those measured in other oceanic areas with similar chlorophyll contents, indicating some deviation from the standard chlorophyll‐absorption relationships. The contribution of absorption by NAPs to total particulate absorption showed large vertical and horizontal variations. CDOM absorption coefficients covaried with algal biomass, albeit with a high scatter. The spectral slopes of both NAP and CDOM absorption revealed structured spatial variability in relation with the trophic conditions. The relative contributions of each component to total nonwater absorption were (at a given wavelength) weakly variable over the transect, at least within the euphotic layer.