Fast Electron Flux Research Articles

Electron distribution near the fast ion track in silicon

A model is proposed to describe the distribution of electrons near the track of a fast ion. The dependence of the fast electron flux on time, layer depth, and radial variable is modeled taking into account the statistical weight of each trajectory. It has been found that the pulse duration in the electron flux distribution is fractions of picoseconds, and the radial size of the cylindrical region where fast electrons are transported reaches tens of angstroms.

Collimated hot electron generation from sub-wavelength grating target irradiated by a femtosecond laser pulse of relativistic intensity

We investigate the production of hot electrons from the interaction of relativistically intense (I>1018 W/cm2) ultrashort (25 fs) laser pulses with sub-wavelength grating target. We measure the hot electron angular distribution and energy spectra for grating target and compare them with those from a planar mirror target. We observe that hot electrons are emitted in a collimated beam along the specular direction of the grating target. From the measurements, we see fast electron temperature and flux for grating are higher than those for mirror due to a stronger coupling with the laser. We performed numerical simulations, which are in good agreement with experimental results, and offer insights into the acceleration mechanism by resulting electric and magnetic fields. Such collimated fast electron beams have a wide range of applications in applied and fundamental science.

Backward fast electrons supported by ionization wave passing through the grid cathode

In this paper, the effect of appearance of fast electrons behind the grid cathode in the direction reverse to the anode is studied computationally. Fast electrons are observed within 0.5 ns after application of a short voltage pulse. The results obtained confirm the possibility of generation of backward fast electrons (some of them are in a runaway mode) and explain the main trends of this process. It is shown that backward fast electrons are supported by the ionization wave (IW). The IW evolution proceeds via two phases. During the first phase, first fast electrons are observed moving toward the anode. Then, multiple individual IWs starting from each individual cathode wire are formed in the anode–cathode gap. The duration of this stage is 0.3 ns and corresponds to the pulse rise time. At the second phase, the separate individual IWs merge in a single flat ionization wave. The IW penetrates through the cathode wires and propagates in the direction reverse to the anode. The preferred direction of fast electrons propagation also reverses. Now, the trajectories of fast electrons are mainly directed away from the anode. The duration of the recorded flux of fast electrons is of the order of a few picoseconds. This time interval correlates with the available experimental data.

Can strong substorm-associated MeV electron injections be an important cause of large radiation belt enhancements?

It has become well-established that strong outer radiation belt enhancements are due to wave-driven electron energization by whistler-mode chorus waves. However, in this study, we examine strong MeV electron injections on 10 July 2019 and find substantial evidence that such injections may be a crucial contributor to outer radiation belt enhancement events. For such an examination, it is essential to precisely separate temporal flux changes from spatial variations observed as Van Allen Probes move along their orbits. Employing a new “hourly snapshot” analysis approach, we discover unprecedented details of electron flux evolutions that suggest that for this event, the outer belt enhancement was not continuous but instead intermittent, mostly composed of 4 large discrete injection-driven flux increases. The injections appear as sharp flux increases when observed near apogee. Otherwise, by comparing hourly snapshots for different times, we infer injections and infer temporally stable fluxes between injections, despite strong and continuous chorus emission. The fast and intermittent electron flux growth successively extending earthwards implies cumulative outer belt enhancement via a series of repetitive inward transport associated with injection-induced electric fields.

Effect of postgrowth processing technology and laser radiation parameters at wavelengths of 2091 and 1064 nm on the laser-induced damage threshold in ZnGeP2 single crystal

We report a study of the effect of postgrowth treatment of ZnGeP2 single crystals (low-temperature annealing, irradiation with fast electrons, polishing of working surfaces) and the conditions of exposure to repetitively pulsed laser radiation [wavelength (2091 or 1064 nm), pulse repetition rate, beam diameter, exposure time, sample temperature] on the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of the surfaces of these crystals. It is found that thermal annealing of ZnGeP2 single crystals and their irradiation with a flux of fast electrons, which increase the LIDT at a wavelength of λ = 1064 nm, do not lead to a change in this threshold at λ = 2091 nm. It is shown that ZnGeP2 elements with lower optical losses in the spectral range 0.7 – 2.5 μm have a higher LIDT at λ = 2091 nm both immediately after fabrication and after postgrowth processing. An increase in the threshold energy density of laser radiation by a factor of 1.5 – 3 at λ = 2091 nm is revealed with a decrease in the crystal temperature from zero to –60 °C. The fact of reversible photodarkening of the propagation channel of laser radiation in ZnGeP2 in the predamage region of parameters is established by the method of digital holography.

Extreme matter compression caused by radiation cooling effect in gigabar shock wave driven by laser-accelerated fast electrons

Heating a solid material with laser-accelerated fast electrons is a particularly useful method for generating a plane powerful shock wave with a pressure of several hundred or even thousands of Mbar in the laboratory. Behind the front of such a powerful shock wave, dense plasma is heated to a temperature of several keV. Then, a high rate of radiation energy loss occurs even in low-Z plasmas. In this paper, the strong compression of matter due to radiation cooling in a Gbar shock wave driven by fast electrons is studied using both computational and theoretical approaches. It is shown that the effect of radiation cooling leads to compression of matter in the peripheral region of the shock wave to a density several times greater than the density at its front. Heating a solid material by a petawatt flux of laser-accelerated fast electrons offers the opportunity to surpass the gigabar pressure level of plane shock waves generated by the impact of laser-accelerated pellets. Higher pressures of about 100 Gbar can be achieved under laboratory conditions only when a spherical target is imploded under the action of a terawatt laser pulse.

The role of fast electron energy transfer in the problem of shock ignition of laser thermonuclear target

The role of energy transfer by fast electrons, which is responsible for the positive effect of increasing the ablative pressure and the negative effect of preheating, on the implosion and thermonuclear gain of the target designed for shock ignition is investigated in comparison with the target designed for traditional spark ignition. On the base of one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations with kinetic description of fast electron transfer it is shown, that depending on the characteristics of fast electron flux, in shock ignition target are manifested to varying degree both effects the positive and negative ones. This is a distinguishing feature of a shock ignition target compared to a traditional spark ignition target, in which only the negative effect of fast electron energy transfer takes place. In a shock ignition target up to temperatures of 50–60 keV, the positive effect is dominant and provides high gain. With an increase in the fast electron temperature, the role of the negative preheating effect increases, that ultimately leads to the ignition failure as temperature exceeding 90–100 keV.

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell modeling of parametric instabilities near the quarter-critical density in plasmas.

The nonlinear regime of laser-plasma interactions including both two-plasmon decay (TPD) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instabilities has been studied in three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell simulations with parameters relevant to the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. SRS and TPD develop in the same region in plasmas, and the generation of fast electrons can be described accurately with only the full model including both SRS and TPD. The growth of instabilities in the linear stage is found to be in good agreement with analytical theories. In the saturation stage the low-frequency density perturbations driven by the daughter waves of the SRS side scattering can saturate the TPD and consequently inhibit the fast-electron generation. The fast-electron flux in 3D modeling is up to an order of magnitude smaller than previously reported in 2D TPD simulations, bringing it close to the results of ICF experiments.

Hard X-ray Generation from ZnO Nanowire Targets in a Non-Relativistic Regime of Laser-Solid Interactions

We present a detailed investigation of X-ray emission from both flat and nanowire zinc oxide targets irradiated by 60 fs 5 × 1016 W/cm2 intensity laser pulses at a 0.8 µm wavelength. It is shown that the fluence of the emitted hard X-ray radiation in the spectral range 150–800 keV is enhanced by at least one order of magnitude for nanowire targets compared to the emission from a flat surface, whereas the characteristic Kα line emission (8.64 keV) is insensitive to the target morphology. Furthermore, we provide evidence for a dramatic increase of the fast electron flux from the front side of the nanostructured targets. We suggest that targets with nanowire morphology may advance development of compact ultrafast X-ray sources with an enhanced flux of hard X-ray emission that could find wide applications in highenergy density (HED) physics.

Numerical Simulation of Shock Wave Generation for Ignition of Precompressed Laser Fusion Target

In this work, we investigate the formation of a converging shock wave in a homogeneous spherical target, whose outer layer was heated by a flux of monoenergetic fast electrons of a given particle energy. Ablation pressure generating the wave forms at spherical expansion of a layer of a heated substance, whose areal density remains constant throughout the entire heating process and equal to the product of the initial heating depth and density of the target. The studies are carried out based on numerical calculations using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic code as applied to ignition of a precompressed target by a shock wave (shock ignition), one of the most promising techniques of laser fusion ignition.

Comparison between two different quantum models of ball lightning

Two models of ball lightning are compared here. Each model is quantum. One of them was proposed by American and Finnish physics [1], who were the first to create three-dimensional skyrmions – particles in Bose- Einstein condensate with an ordered spin structure where central and boundary spins are opposite directed. A stable knot between electric and magnetic fields in a three-dimensional skyrmion is treated by the authors as a quantum model of ball lightning (BL). The next model proposed here proceeds from quantum entanglement (QE) of protons in hydrogen bonds (HBP) inside atmosphere oversaturated water vapour [2]. Two other quantum models issued in 1937 and 2007 are mentioned here. Origin of high-energy particles flux inside clouds as conditions for its origin when dark lightning [3] precede ordinary one creating additional ionization, fluxes of fast electrons with MeV energy prior to lightning which is initiating BL, glow, sprites are considered. All phenomena listed above appear to be of general nature resulting from QE of HBP in overstable water clusters (tetramers) inside clouds. Comparing models introduced above we use the estimation of BL capacity to enter via glass as a key parameter. Unexplained in BL models this frequently observed phenomenon as well as many other such as the BL transparency, its coldness and hiss become obviously explicable in the context of our model.

Guiding and collimating the fast electrons by using a low-density-core target with buried high density layers

A low-density-core target with buried high density layers is proposed to improve the transport of fast electrons and involved problems are investigated by using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is demonstrated that this target can collimate the fast electrons efficiently and lead to a better beam quality. The enhancement is attributed to the weakening of the two stream instability and the better collimation by the self-generated multilayer megagauss magnetic field as well as the baroclinic magnetic field. Comparing this to that without buried high density layers, the energy flux of fast electrons is increased by a factor of about 1.8 and has a narrower transverse distribution in space. Besides, the dependence of the efficiency on the target parameters is examined, and the optimal target parameters are also obtained. Such a target can be useful to many applications, such as fast ignition in inertial fusion.

Coefficient of Radiation-Stimulated Diffusion of Interstitial Atoms in a Flux of Fast Electrons

An expression for the coefficient of radiation-stimulated diffusion of interstitial atoms, which arises in a flux of fast electrons, is obtained on the basis of a solution of Boltzmann’s equation. As a specific example, a relation for approximate evaluation of the coefficient of radiation-stimulated diffusion of interstitial atoms in a flux of fast electrons formed when fast heavy charged particles decelerate in materials is presented and analyzed.

Measurement of the angle, temperature and flux of fast electrons emitted from intense laser–solid interactions

High-intensity laser–solid interactions generate relativistic electrons, as well as high-energy (multi-MeV) ions and x-rays. The directionality, spectra and total number of electrons that escape a target-foil is dependent on the absorption, transport and rear-side sheath conditions. Measuring the electrons escaping the target will aid in improving our understanding of these absorption processes and the rear-surface sheath fields that retard the escaping electrons and accelerate ions via the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. A comprehensive Geant4 study was performed to help analyse measurements made with a wrap-around diagnostic that surrounds the target and uses differential filtering with a FUJI-film image plate detector. The contribution of secondary sources such as x-rays and protons to the measured signal have been taken into account to aid in the retrieval of the electron signal. Angular and spectral data from a high-intensity laser–solid interaction are presented and accompanied by simulations. The total number of emitted electrons has been measured as $2.6\times 10^{13}$ with an estimated total energy of $12\pm 1~\text{J}$ from a $100~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$ Cu target with 140 J of incident laser energy during a $4\times 10^{20}~\text{W}~\text{cm}^{-2}$ interaction.

Fast electron flux driven by lower hybrid wave in the scrape-off layer

The fast electron flux driven by Lower Hybrid Wave (LHW) in the scrape-off layer (SOL) in EAST is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The five bright belts flowing along the magnetic field lines in the SOL and hot spots at LHW guard limiters observed by charge coupled device and infrared cameras are attributed to the fast electron flux, which is directly measured by retarding field analyzers (RFA). The current carried by the fast electron flux, ranging from 400 to 6000 A/m2 and in the direction opposite to the plasma current, is scanned along the radial direction from the limiter surface to the position about 25 mm beyond the limiter. The measured fast electron flux is attributed to the high parallel wave refractive index n|| components of LHW. According to the antenna structure and the LHW power absorbed by plasma, a broad parallel electric field spectrum of incident wave from the antennas is estimated. The radial distribution of LHW-driven current density is analyzed in SOL based on Landau damping of the LHW. The analytical results support the RFA measurements, showing a certain level of consistency. In addition, the deposition profile of the LHW power density in SOL is also calculated utilizing this simple model. This study provides some fundamental insight into the heating and current drive effects induced by LHW in SOL, and should also help to interpret the observations and related numerical analyses of the behaviors of bright belts and hot spots induced by LHW.

Plasma effects on harmonic spectra generated from moderately relativistic laser-plasma interactions

When intense p-polarized laser light is incident on a plasma with an electron density many times the critical density, the flux of fast electrons created by Brunel absorption excites plasma oscillations. These oscillations may in turn affect the spectrum of high harmonics by modulating the spectrum at the plasma frequency, ω(p), and by coupling to the radiation field through the steep density gradient at the plasma-vacuum interface, so generating plasma line emission (PLE) at ω(p) and harmonics of ω(p). Both aspects depend sensitively on a range of plasma and laser pulse parameters, including the initial electron density, the density profile at the plasma-vacuum interface, and the intensity, pulse shape, and pulse length of the incident laser light. These various dependences have been characterised for moderately relativistic laser-plasma interactions by means of a series of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations.

Internal electron conversion of the isomeric 57Fe nucleus state with an energy of 14.4 keV excited by the radiation of the plasma of a high-power femtosecond laser pulse

We recorded the spectrum of delayed secondary electrons ejected from the target, which was coated with a layer of iron enriched with the 57Fe isotope to 98%, under its irradiation by fluxes of broadband X-ray radiation and fast electrons from the plasma produced by a femtosecond laser pulse at an intensity of 1017 W cm-2. Maxima were identified at energies of 5.6, 7.2, and 13.6 keV in the spectrum obtained for a delay of 90 — 120 ns. The two last-listed maxima owe their origin to the internal electron conversion of the isomeric level with an energy of 14.4 keV and a lifetime of 98 ns to the K and L shells of atomic iron, respectively; the first-named level arises from a cascade K — L2L3 Auger process. Photoexcitaion by the X-ray plasma radiation is shown to be the principal channel of the isomeric level excitation.

O 2 reduction by a functional heme/nonheme bis-iron NOR model complex

O(2) reactivity of a functional NOR model is investigated by using electrochemistry and spectroscopy. The electrochemical measurements using interdigitated electrodes show very high selectivity for 4e O(2) reduction with minimal production of partially reduced oxygen species (PROS) under both fast and slow electron flux. Intermediates trapped at cryogenic temperatures and characterized by using resonance Raman spectroscopy under single-turnover conditions indicate that an initial bridging peroxide intermediate undergoes homolytic O--O bond cleavage generating a trans heme/nonheme bis-ferryl intermediate. This bis ferryl species can oxygenate 2 equivalents of a reactive substrate.

Gas-discharge plasma sources for nonlocal plasma technology

Nonlocal plasma technology is based on the effect of self-trapping of fast electrons in the plasma volume [V. I. Demidov, C. A. DeJoseph, Jr., and A. A. Kudryavtsev, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 215002 (2006)]. This effect can be achieved by changing the ratio of fast electron flux to ion flux incident on the plasma boundaries. This in turn leads to a significant change in plasma properties and therefore can be useful for technological applications. A gas-discharge device which demonstrates control of the plasma properties by this method is described.

Electrical effects in propellant compositions radiated by electrons

Radiation-induced electrical conductivity of composite and ballistite solid propellants under pulsed (2.5 · 10−6 sec) and continuous (1–100 sec) radiation by a flux of fast electrons is studied. Conditions for the development of an electrical breakdown during electron radiation are determined, and the relation between this phenomenon and the composition of the composite propellant is considered. For the ballistite propellant, radiation-induced conductivity is studied both in the highly elastic and in the vitreous state. Based on experimental results, the parameters of a semi-empirical model of radiation-induced conductivity are determined for both types of propellants.