Intense Short Laser Pulse Research Articles

Effects of laser-polarization and wiggler magnetic fields on electron acceleration in laser-cluster interaction

We examine the electron dynamics during laser-cluster interaction. In addition to the electrostatic field of an individual cluster and laser field, we consider an external transverse wiggler magnetic field, which plays a pivotal role in enhancing the electron acceleration. Single-particle simulation has been presented with a short pulse linearly polarized as well as circularly polarized laser pulses for electron acceleration in a cluster. The persisting Coulomb field allows the electron to absorb energy from the laser field. The stochastically heated electron finds a weak electric field at the edge of the cluster from where it is ejected. The wiggler magnetic field connects the regions of the stochastically heated, ejected electron from the cluster and high energy gain by the electron from the laser field outside the cluster. This increases the field strength and hence supports the electron to meet the phase of the laser field for enhanced acceleration. A long duration resonance appears with an optimized magnetic wiggler field of about 3.4 kG. Hence, the relativistic energy gain by the electron is enhanced up to a few 100 MeV with an intense short pulse laser with an intensity of about 1019 W cm−2 in the presence of a wiggler magnetic field.

Coherent, Short-Pulse X-ray Generation via Relativistic Flying Mirrors

Coherent, Short X-ray pulses are demanded in material science and biology for the study of micro-structures. Currently, large-sized free-electron lasers are used; however, the available beam lines are limited because of the large construction cost. Here we review a novel method to downsize the system as well as providing fully (spatially and temporally) coherent pulses. The method is based on the reflection of coherent laser light by a relativistically moving mirror (flying mirror). Due to the double Doppler effect, the reflected pulses are upshifted in frequency and compressed in time. Such mirrors are formed when an intense short laser pulse excites a strongly nonlinear plasma wave in tenuous plasma. Theory, proof-of-principle, experiments, and possible applications are addressed.

Wiggler magnetic field assisted third harmonic generation in expanding clusters

A simple theoretical model is constructed to study the wiggler magnetic field assisted third harmonic generation of intense short pulse laser in a cluster in its expanding phase. The ponderomotive force of laser causes density perturbations in cluster electron density which couples with wiggler magnetic field to produce a nonlinear current that generates transverse third harmonic. An intense short pulse laser propagating through a gas embedded with atomic clusters, converts it into hot plasma balls via tunnel ionization. Initially, the electron plasma frequency inside the clusters ωpe > (with ω1 being the frequency of the laser). As the cluster expands under Coulomb force and hydrodynamic pressure, ωpe decreases to . At this time, there is resonant enhancement in the efficiency of the third harmonic generation. The efficiency of third harmonic generation is enhanced due to cluster plasmon resonance and by phase matching due to wiggler magnetic field. The effect of cluster size on the expansion rate is studied to observe that the clusters of different radii would expand differently. The impact of laser intensity and wiggler magnetic field on the efficiency of third harmonic generation is also explored.

Ultrafast re-structuring of the electronic landscape of transparent dielectrics: new material states (Die-Met)

The swift excitation of the transparent dielectrics by intense short laser pulse produces ultra-fast re-structuring of the electronic landscape generating a wealth of material states continuously changing in space and in time in accord with the variations of the intensity. These unconventional transient material states combine simultaneously dielectric and metal properties (Die-Met). The laser excitation transforms a transparent dielectric into electrically inhomogeneous state early in the pulse time [1]. The permittivity of excited material varies in time and in space changing from positive to negative values that strongly affects the interaction process. The interplay between the transient permittivity gradient and polarisation of the incident laser becomes the major process of the new interaction mode. In a particular relation between the polarization and the permittivity gradient the incident field amplitude grows up while the wave is approaching to the surface where the real part of permittivity turns to zero. That results in the local increase in the absorbed energy density. The complex 3D structure of the permittivity makes a transparent part of excited dielectric (at ${\epsilon}0 > {\epsilon}re > 0$) optically active. The electro-magnetic wave passing through such a medium gets a twisted trajectory and accrues the geometric phase [2]. The plane of polarisation rotation and phase depends on the 3D permittivity structure [3]. Measuring the polarisation and phase of the probe beam allows quantitatively identify this new transient state. We discuss the revelations of this effect in different experimental situations and possible applications.

Generation of attosecond electron beams in relativistic ionization by short laser pulses

Ionization by relativistically intense short laser pulses is studied in the framework of strong-field quantum electrodynamics. Distinctive patterns are found in the energy probability distributions of photoelectrons, which are sensitive to the properties of a driving laser field. It is demonstrated that these electrons are generated in the form of solitary attosecond wave packets. This is particularly important in light of various applications of attosecond electron beams such as in ultrafast electron diffraction and crystallography, or in time-resolved electron microscopy of physical, chemical, and biological processes. We also show that, for intense laser pulses, high-energy ionization takes place in narrow regions surrounding the momentum spiral, the exact form of which is determined by the shape of a driving pulse. The self-intersections of the spiral define the momenta for which the interference patterns in the energy distributions of photoelectrons are observed. Furthermore, these interference regions lead to the synthesis of single-electron wave packets characterized by coherent double-hump structures.

Resonance absorption of intense short laser pulse in near critical inhomogeneous plasma

ABSTRACTResonance absorption of high-power short laser pulse in near critical inhomogeneous plasma is studied. Using the Maxwell’s equations and considering p-polarization, the wave equations for electric and magnetic fields in the plasma are obtained. The profiles of electric and magnetic fields and absorption rate in the plasma are plotted by taking into account linear, parabolic, and exponential density profiles. Simulation results show that for different density profiles, the absorption process depends on the normalized spatial scale length .

Nonlinear evolutions of an ultra-intense ultra-short laser pulse in a rarefied plasma through a new quasi-static theory

In this paper, we present a new description of self-consistent wake excitation by an intense short laser pulse, based on applying the quasi-static approximation (slow variations of the pulse-envelope) in the instantaneous Lorentz-boosted pulse co-moving frame (PCMF), and best verify our results through comparison with particle-in-cell simulations. According to this theory, the plasma motion can be treated perturbatively in the PCMF due to its high initial-velocity and produces a quasi-static wakefield in this frame. The pulse envelope, on the other hand, is governed by a form of the Schrödinger equation in the PCMF, in which the wakefield acts as an effective potential. In this context, pulse evolutions are characterized by local conservation laws resulted from this equation and subjected to Lorentz transformation into the laboratory frame. Using these conservation laws, precise formulas are obtained for spatiotemporal pulse evolutions and related wakefield variations at initial stages, and new equations are derived for instantaneous group velocity and carrier frequency. In addition, based on properties of the Schrödinger equation, spectral-evolutions of the pulse are described and the emergence of an anomalous dispersion branch with linear relation ( is the light speed) is predicted. Our results are carefully discussed versus previous publications and the significance of our approach is described by showing almost all suggestive definitions of group-velocity based on energy arguments fail to reproduce our formula and correctly describe the instantaneous pulse-velocity.

Electron heating by intense short-pulse lasers propagating through near-critical plasmas

We investigate the electron heating induced by a relativistic-intensity laser pulse propagating through a near-critical plasma. Using particle-in-cell simulations, we show that a specific interaction regime sets in when, due to the energy depletion caused by the plasma wakefield, the laser front profile has steepened to the point of having a length scale close to the laser wavelength. Wave breaking and phase mixing have then occurred, giving rise to a relativistically hot electron population following the laser pulse. This hot electron flow is dense enough to neutralize the cold bulk electrons during their backward acceleration by the wakefield. This neutralization mechanism delays, but does not prevent the breaking of the wakefield: the resulting phase mixing converts the large kinetic energy of the backward-flowing electrons into thermal energy greatly exceeding the conventional ponderomotive scaling at laser intensities and gas densities around 10% of the critical density. We develop a semi-numerical model, based on the Akhiezer–Polovin equations, which correctly reproduces the particle-in-cell-predicted electron thermal energies over a broad parameter range. Given this good agreement, we propose a criterion for full laser absorption that includes field-induced ionization. Finally, we show that our predictions still hold in a two-dimensional geometry using a realistic gas profile.

Stochastic behavior of electrons in high intensity laser–plasma interaction

The stochastic behavior of electrons during the interaction of an intense short laser pulse with under-dense plasma is investigated by employing a fully kinetic 1D-3V particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. The development of chaos in the involved nonlinear regime and in the presence of plasma space charge is examined. Though the electron Lagrangian is extremely complicated in this case, our analyses suggest some potential ways for chaos development. In this regard, our simulation results show that chaotic motion can develop in three different ways. When the space charge field is weak, the scattered fields can provide the necessary condition for chaos to occur. When a strong space charge field is presented, the creation of chaos is initiated by wave breaking. The third procedure for creating chaos originates from the inhomogeneity of the density on the vacuum–plasma surface. In this case, a new electrostatic mode without any phase relation with the space charge electrostatic mode is generated.

Impact of intense laser pulses on the autoionization dynamics of the 2s2p doubly excited state of He

The photoionization of a helium atom by short intense laser pulses is studied theoretically in the vicinity of the $2s2p{\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}}^{1}P$ doubly excited state with the intention to investigate the impact of the intensity and duration of the exciting pulse on the dynamics of the autoionization process. For that purpose, we solve numerically the corresponding time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation by applying the time-dependent restricted-active-space configuration-interaction method (TD-RASCI). The present numerical results clearly demonstrate that the Fano interferences can be controlled by a single high-frequency pulse. As long as the pulse duration is comparable to the autoionization lifetime, varying the peak intensity of the pulse enables manipulation of the underlying Fano interference. In particular, the asymmetric profile observed for the $2s2p{\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}}^{1}P$ doubly excited state of He in the weak-field ionization can be smoothly transformed to a window-type interference profile.

Numerical Detector Theory for the Longitudinal Momentum Distribution of the Electron in Strong Field Ionization.

The lack of analytical solutions for the exit momentum in the laser-driven tunneling theory is a well-recognized problem in strong field physics. Theoretical studies of electron momentum distributions in the neighborhood of the tunneling exit depend heavily on adhoc assumptions. In this Letter, we apply a new numerical method to study the exiting electron's longitudinal momentum distribution under intense short-pulse laser excitation. We present the first realizations of the dynamic behavior of an electron near the so-called tunneling exit region without adopting a tunneling approximation.

Plasma high-order-harmonic generation from ultraintense laser pulses.

Plasma high-order-harmonic generation from an extremely intense short-pulse laser is explored by including the effects of ion motion, electron-ion collisions, and radiation reaction force in the plasma dynamics. The laser radiation pressure induces plasma ion motion through the hole-boring effect, resulting in frequency shifting and widening of the harmonic spectra. The classical radiation reaction force slightly mitigates the frequency broadening caused by the ion motion. Based on the results and physical considerations, parameter maps highlighting the optimum regions for generating a single intense attosecond pulse and coherent XUV radiation are presented.

Laser-driven proton acceleration enhancement by the optimized intense short laser pulse shape

Interactions of two distinct shapes of the pulses namely positive/negative chirped pulse and fast/slow rising-edge pulse with plasma are studied using particle-in-cell simulation. It is found that, for a pulse duration of 34 fs and intensity a0 = 12, proton acceleration could be enhanced by asymmetric pulses with either pulse envelope or pulse frequency modification. The number of accelerated protons, as well as the proton energy cut-off, is increased by asymmetric pulses. In this work, for positive chirped pulse, electrostatic field at the rear side of the target is improved by about 30%, which in turns leads to an increase in the proton energy cut-off more than 40%. Moreover, in contrary to the fast pulses, the slow one could enhance the proton energy cut-off up to 65% for 34 fs pulse with 20 fs rising-edge.

Attosecond pulse generation from relativistic plasma mirror

When an intense relativistic short laser pulse incident on an optically polished surface, it generates a high density plasma that acts as a relativistic plasma mirror. As this mirror reflects the intense laser field, its space time characterization changes due to high nonlinear response of the field. This lead to the phase variation both temporally and spatially that could affect the generation of high harmonics of the laser and attosecond pulses. The present theoretical study address the issues of the intensity dependent space-time characteristics on the generation of attosecond pulses from relativistic plasma mirror.

Structural, thermal, optical and nonlinear optical properties of ethylenediaminium picrate single crystals

A new organic optical limiting material, ethylenediaminium picrate (EDAPA) was synthesized through acid base reaction and grown as single crystals by solvent evaporation method. Single crystal XRD analysis showed that EDAPA crystallizes in orthorhombic system with Cmca as space group. The formation of charge transfer complex during the reaction of ethylenediamine and picric acid was strongly evident through the recorded Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR), Raman and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrum. Thermal (TG–DTA and DSC) curves indicated that the material possesses high thermal stability with decomposition temperature at 243°C. Optical (UV–Visible-NIR) analysis showed that the grown crystal was found to be transparent in the entire visible and NIR region. Z-scan studies with intense short pulse (532nm, 5ns, 100µJ) excitations, revealed that EDAPA exhibited two photon absorption behaviour and the nonlinear absorption coefficient was found to be two orders of magnitude higher than some of the known optical limiter like Cu nano glasses. EDAPA exhibited a strong optical limiting action with low limiting threshold which make them a potential candidate for eye and photosensitive component protection against intense short pulse lasers.

New scheme for enhancement of maximum proton energy with a cone-hole target irradiated by a short intense laser pulse

Improvement of proton energy from short intense laser interaction with a new proposal of a cone-hole target is investigated via two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The configuration of the target is a cone structure with a hole of changeable diameter through the center of the tip, with proton layers contaminated both on the target rear surface and at the rear part of the hole. In the interacting process, the cone-hole geometry enables the focus of the laser pulse by the cone structure and the consequent penetration of the intensified laser through the tip along the hole instead of reflection, which can increase the energy coupling from laser field to plasmas. The heated electrons, following the target normal sheath acceleration scheme, induce a much stronger electrostatic field in the longitudinal direction at the rear surface of the target than that in the traditional foil case. The simulation results indicate that the accelerated proton beam from the cone-hole target has a cutoff energy about 5.7 and 2.1 times larger than the foil case and the hollow cone case, respectively. Furthermore, the case of the cone-hole target without the proton layer in the hole is also analyzed to demonstrate the effect of the proton layer position and the results show that not only can the existence of the central proton layer improve the proton energy but also lead to a better collimation. The dependence of proton energy on the hole diameter and the scaling law of the maximum proton energy relative to laser intensity are also presented.

Stimulated Raman scattering in the relativistic regime in near-critical plasmas.

Interaction of a high-intensity short laser pulse with near-critical plasmas allows us to achieve extremely high coupling efficiency and transfer laser energy to energetic ions. One-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are considered to detail the processes involved in the energy transfer. A confrontation of the numerical results with the theory highlights a key role played by the process of stimulated Raman scattering in the relativistic regime. The interaction of a 1 ps laser pulse (I∼6×10^{18}Wcm^{-2} with an undercritical (0.5n_{c}) homogeneous plasma leads to a very high plasma absorption reaching 68% of the laser pulse energy. This permits a homogeneous electron heating all along the plasma and an efficient ion acceleration at the plasma edges and in cavities.

Multistage ion acceleration in the interaction of intense short laser pulse with ultrathin target

New analytical formalism is invented in the description of ion acceleration in the interaction of intense high-contrast short laser pulse with ultrathin target. The electrostatic shock wave acceleration is our fundamental point of view, but different criteria are obtained for description of various acceleration phenomenon. Acceleration condition for an ion with a definite charge to mass ratio ( z / m ) and initial velocity β0 is obtained in the electrostatic shock (ES) field in front side of the foil. According to this point of view, self organized multistage ion acceleration formalism is proposed and confirmed by the 1D3V particle in cell simulation results. In this formalism, ions may be re-accelerated repeatedly in the developing ES field.

Neutron imaging with the short-pulse laser driven neutron source at the Trident laser facility

Emerging approaches to short-pulse laser-driven neutron production offer a possible gateway to compact, low cost, and intense broad spectrum sources for a wide variety of applications. They are based on energetic ions, driven by an intense short-pulse laser, interacting with a converter material to produce neutrons via breakup and nuclear reactions. Recent experiments performed with the high-contrast laser at the Trident laser facility of Los Alamos National Laboratory have demonstrated a laser-driven ion acceleration mechanism operating in the regime of relativistic transparency, featuring a volumetric laser-plasma interaction. This mechanism is distinct from previously studied ones that accelerate ions at the laser-target surface. The Trident experiments produced an intense beam of deuterons with an energy distribution extending above 100 MeV. This deuteron beam, when directed at a beryllium converter, produces a forward-directed neutron beam with ∼5 × 109 n/sr, in a single laser shot, primarily due to deuteron breakup. The neutron beam has a pulse duration on the order of a few nanoseconds with an energy distribution extending from a few hundreds of keV to almost 80 MeV. For the experiments on neutron-source spot-size measurements, our gated neutron imager was setup to select neutrons in the energy range of 2.5–35 MeV. The spot size of neutron emission at the converter was measured by two different imaging techniques, using a knife-edge and a penumbral aperture, in two different experimental campaigns. The neutron-source spot size is measured ∼1 mm for both experiments. The measurements and analysis reported here give a spatial characterization for this type of neutron source for the first time. In addition, the forward modeling performed provides an empirical estimate of the spatial characteristics of the deuteron ion-beam. These experimental observations, taken together, provide essential yet unique data to benchmark and verify theoretical work into the basic acceleration mechanism, which remains an ongoing challenge.

Using irregularly spaced current peaks to generatean isolated attosecond X-ray pulse in free-electron lasers.

A method is proposed to generate an isolated attosecond X-ray pulse in free-electron lasers, using irregularly spaced current peaks induced in an electron beam through interaction with an intense short-pulse optical laser. In comparison with a similar scheme proposed in a previous paper, the irregular arrangement of current peaks significantly improves the contrast between the main and satellite pulses, enhances the attainable peak power and simplifies the accelerator layout. Three different methods are proposed for this purpose and achievable performances are computed under realistic conditions. Numerical simulations carried out with the best configuration show that an isolated 7.7 keV X-ray pulse with a peak power of 1.7 TW and pulse length of 70 as can be generated. In this particular example, the contrast is improved by two orders of magnitude and the peak power is enhanced by a factor of three, when compared with the previous scheme.