LFEX Laser Research Articles

Second harmonic generation of focused beams on the LFEX laser facility

There is a strong demand for efficient second harmonic generation (SHG) in ultra-intense short-pulse lasers. This paper demonstrates the generation of an unconverted fundamental (1ω)+second harmonics (2ω) mixed laser on the LFEX laser system. The experimental setup utilizes 0.5 mm-thick LBO crystal plates in a focusing beams implemented after an off-axis parabola, the design reduces the size and cost of the SHG system. The LFEX laser beams with four-beams combined energy of 222 J and a pulse duration of 1.5 ps, is successfully converted to 102 J of 2ω light and 100 J of unconverted 1ω light, 20 J is lost through surface reflections, and they are mixed at the focal point. Verification of successful SHG is confirmed through X-ray pinhole imaging and electron spectrometry. This novel technique is not limited to LFEX lasers and holds applicability for various ultra-intense lasers. Consequently, this accomplishment significantly contributes to expanding the capability for high-energy density laser-plasma experiments.

Cryogenic solid deuterium target formation to realize highly pure deuteron acceleration by high-intensity laser

In recent years, laser-driven neutron sources have attracted attention for their applications such as nondestructive analysis and the production of medical radioisotopes. One of the efficient neutron production methods is the use of the 9Be(d, n)10B reaction on a beryllium target with deuterons accelerated by laser–plasma interactions, since this is an exothermic reaction. For efficient deuteron acceleration, we have developed a formation system for solid deuterium targets. A millimeter thick solid deuterium target can be formed with the system. Before the laser shot, the solid deuterium target in the laser chamber can be mechanically moved to the laser irradiation point. We have demonstrated deuteron acceleration by the LFEX laser, and a highly pure deuteron pulse with energies of up to 6.2 MeV was measured with a Thomson parabola ion spectrometer.

Hot electron and ion spectra on blow-off plasma free target in GXII-LFEX direct fast ignition experiment

Polystyrene deuteride shell targets with two holes were imploded by the Gekko XII laser and additionally heated by the LFEX laser in a direct fast ignition experiment. In general, when an ultra-intense laser is injected into a blow-off plasma created by the imploding laser, electrons are generated far from the target core and the energies of electrons increase because the electron acceleration distance has been extended. The blow-off plasma moves not only to the vertical direction but to the lateral direction against the target surface. In a shell target with holes, a lower effective electron temperature can be realized by reducing the inflow of the implosion plasma onto the LFEX path, and high coupling efficiency can be expected. The energies of hot electrons and ions absorbed into the target core were calculated from the energy spectra using three electron energy spectrometers and a neutron time-of-flight measurement system, Mandala. The ions have a large contribution of 74% (electron heating of 4.9 J and ion heating of 14.1 J) to target heating in direct fast ignition.

Demonstration of a spherical plasma mirror for the counter-propagating kilojoule-class petawatt LFEX laser system.

A counter-propagating laser-beam platform using a spherical plasma mirror was developed for the kilojoule-class petawatt LFEX laser. The temporal and spatial overlaps of the incoming and redirected beams were measured with an optical interferometer and an x-ray pinhole camera. The plasma mirror performance was evaluated by measuring fast electrons, ions, and neutrons generated in the counter-propagating laser interaction with a Cu-doped deuterated film on both sides. The reflectivity and peak intensity were estimated as ∼50% and ∼5 × 1018 W/cm2, respectively. The platform could enable studies of counter-streaming charged particles in high-energy-density plasmas for fundamental and inertial confinement fusion research.

Hot Electron and Ion Spectra in Axial and Transverse Laser Irradiation in the GXII-LFEX Direct Fast Ignition Experiment

An electron spectrometer was used to measure the electron and ion spectra in two different irradiations of implosion laser to the deuterated spherical shell targets at the direct fast ignition experiments on the Gekko-LFEX facility. In the transverse irradiation against the LFEX laser axis, the low effective hot electron temperature (Teff) and huge neutron yield (Ny) could be obtained although high Teff and low Ny could be observed in the axial irradiation. In the transverse irradiation, the efficient core heating could be obtained because the laser-plasma interaction position is close to the core and the diffusive/ion drag heating may be effective.

Monte Carlo particle collision model for qualitative analysis of neutron energy spectra from anisotropic inertial confinement fusion

A Monte Carlo (MC) code simulating the kinetics of two-particle collisions has shown to have certain advantages in the spectral analysis of neutrons from fast-ignition inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The MC code quickly displays neutron spectra produced in the expected fusion plasma kinetics (incl. ion energy spectrum, anisotropy, and collision geometry). This allows to explore various potential mechanisms of neutron production without using time-consuming hydrodynamic or particle simulations and makes it possible to give a feedback to ongoing experiments. The validity of this model was demonstrated in the ”cone-free-shell” fast ignition experiment at the GEKKO-XII - LFEX laser facility, where the model provided a clear explanation for the significant spectral modulation of D(d, n)3He neutrons generated through the interaction between a high-power laser and a long-scale plasma.

Plasma mirror implementation on LFEX laser for ion and fast electron fast ignition

In this work we report the successful implementation of plasma mirror (PM) technology on an LFEX laser facility at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University. The LFEX laser pulse was successfully refocused at the target chamber center (TCC) by means of a spherical plasma mirror, resulting in 5 × 1018 W cm−2 laser intensity, with 45% reflectivity at a laser flux of about 90 J cm−2 on the PM. Experimental results show stable focusing and pointing of the LFEX pulse after PM refocusing. The contrast improvement was demonstrated by both cooler fast electron slope temperature distribution as well as by the ability to shoot sub-µm plastic foils obtaining proton beams with maximum energy exceeding 20 MeV. Experimental results are qualitatively reproduced by 2D particle in cell simulations.

Energy distribution of fast electrons accelerated by high intensity laser pulse depending on laser pulse duration

The dependence of high-energy electron generation on the pulse duration of a high intensity LFEX laser was experimentally investigated. The LFEX laser (λ = 1.054 and intensity = 2.5 – 3 x 1018 W/cm2) pulses were focused on a 1 mm3 gold cubic block after reducing the intensities of the foot pulse and pedestal by using a plasma mirror. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) duration of the intense laser pulse could be set to either 1.2 ps or 4 ps by temporally stacking four beams of the LFEX laser, for which the slope temperature of the high-energy electron distribution was 0.7 MeV and 1.4 MeV, respectively. The slope temperature increment cannot be explained without considering pulse duration effects on fast electron generation.

Study of fast electron generation using multi beam of LFEX-class laser

Fast Ignition Realization Experiment project phase-I (FIREX-I) is being performed at Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University. In this project, the four-beam bundled high-energy Petawatt laser (LFEX) is being operated. LFEX laser provides great multi-beam irradiation flexibility, with the possibility of arrange the pulses in temporal sequence, spatially separate them in distinct spots of focus them in a single spot. In this paper, we study the two- beam interference effects on high-intensity picosecond laser-plasma interaction (LPI) by twodimensional relativistic Particle-In-Cell simulations. The interference causes surface perturbation, which enhances laser absorption and underdense plasma generation, increasing the accelerated electron number and their slope temperature. The laser-to-electron energy conversion efficiency for two-beam interference case is suitable for Fast Ignition (FI) compared to the single beam case, but the increment of fast electron divergence leads to lower energy coupling. To optimize the target design for FI, these interference effects should be taken into consideration.

Development of 4.5 keV monochromatic X-ray radiography using the high-energy, picosecond LFEX laser

Development of a monochromatic x-ray imaging system using a high-energy short- pulse laser LFEX and a spherical crystal is reported. Irradiation of the intense short-pulse laser produces a flash of 4.51 keV Ti K-alpha x-ray while the spherically bent quartz crystal provides a narrow spectral bandwidth and high spatial resolution. This high spatiotemporal imaging technique was applied for recording 2-D monochromatic x-ray images of laser-driven Fast Ignition targets. The results show a sufficiently high spatial resolution to characterize the implosion core, suggesting that the core information extracted from the radiograph images can be used to benchmark a 2-D radiation-hydrodynamic code for accurate hydrodynamic modelling and optimization of FI fuel assembly in the asymmetrical implosion.

Progress Towards a Laser Produced Relativistic Electron-Positron Pair Plasma

A set of experiments has been performed exploring unique characteristics of pair jets and plasmas at several energetic short-pulse laser facilities including Titan at Livermore and OMEGA EP in Rochester, as well as the Osaka LFEX and AWE Orion lasers. New results are summarized, including positron beam emittance, scaling of pair production vs. laser energy, and initial results on the pair jet collimation using electromagnetic fields.

Direct heating of imploded plasma in the fast ignition

We propose the direct heating of an imploded plasma core by ultra-intense lasers in inertial confinement fusion, to increase the heating coupling efficiency. In this scheme, both fast-electrons and fast-ions heat the plasma core. Experiments using this direct heating scheme has been carried out at GXII and LFEX laser facility at Osaka Univeristy. To model this direct heating scheme, we developed the 1D simulation model and carried out simulations using the experimental conditions. Comparison between results of the simulation and the experimental observations validates the simulation model. We show that even in the unoptimized experimental conditions used in simulations, our calculations show that the maximum temperature, 1.6 keV, of the CD plasma.

The diagnostics of the energy coupling efficiency in the Fast Ignition integrated experiment

The energy coupling efficiency (CE) in Fast Ignition (FI) laser fusion was studied at GEKKO XII and LFEx laser facility by using newly developed targets and plasma diagnostic instruments. The gated-liquid scintillator neutron detectors had been upgraded by using neutron collimators for intense background fluxes of γ-rays and neutrons in the FI experiment. Clear fusion neutron signal was successfully recorded in the sub-kJ heating FI experiment. Up to 5 times neutron yield enhancement was observed, and the CE of the heating laser to core plasma was estimated to be 1.6% for cone-in-shell target implosion by 9 beams and core heating by LFEX pulse 115 ps before bang time. The laser-to-electron energy conversion efficiency was separately diagnosed using a newly developed target and resulted to be 45%. The fast electron energy spectrum was estimated to be 2.3 MeV slope temperature by hard x-ray spectroscopy. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the consistency of the data set.

Approach to the study of fast electron transport in cylindrically imploded targets

AbstractThe transport of relativistic electron beam in compressed cylindrical targets was studied from a numerical and experimental point of view. In the experiment, cylindrical targets were imploded using the Gekko XII laser facility of the Institute of Laser Engineering. Then the fast electron beam was created by shooting the LFEX laser beam. The penetration of fast electrons was studied by observing Kα emission from tracer layers in the target.

New insights into the laser produced electron–positron pairs

We report new results from the intense laser target interaction experiment that produces relativistic electron–positron pairs. Laser to electron energy transfer, inferred using x-ray and neutron measurements, was found to be consistent with the measured positrons. To increase the number of positrons, one needs to deliver a greater number of relativistic electrons from the laser–plasma interaction to the high Z gold target. A large preplasma was found to have a negative impact for this purpose, while the laser could produce hotter electrons in such preplasma. The peak energy shift in the positron spectrum is confirmed as the post-acceleration in the sheath potential behind the target. The results were supported by a collisional one-dimensional particle-in-cell code. This experiment was performed using the high-power LFEX laser at the Institute of Laser Engineering at Osaka University using a suite of diagnostics measuring electrons, positrons, x-rays and neutrons from the laser–target interaction at the relativistic regime.

Implosion and heating experiments of fast ignition targets by Gekko-XII and LFEX lasers

The FIREX-1 project, the goal of which is to demonstrate fuel heating up to 5 keV by fast ignition scheme, has been carried out since 2003 including construction and tuning of LFEX laser and integrated experiments. Implosion and heating experiment of Fast Ignition targets have been performed since 2009 with Gekko-XII and LFEX lasers. A deuterated polystyrene shell target was imploded with the 0.53- μm Gekko-XII, and the 1.053- μm beam of the LFEX laser was injected through a gold cone attached to the shell to generate hot electrons to heat the imploded fuel plasma. Pulse contrast ratio of the LFEX beam was significantly improved. Also a variety of plasma diagnostic instruments were developed to be compatible with harsh environment of intense hard x-rays (γ rays) and electromagnetic pulses due to the intense LFEX beam on the target. Large background signals around the DD neutron signal in time-of-flight record of neutron detector were found to consist of neutrons via (γ,n) reactions and scattered gamma rays. Enhanced neutron yield was confirmed by carefully eliminating such backgrounds. Neutron enhancement up to 3.5 × 107 was observed. Heating efficiency was estimated to be 10–20% assuming a uniform temperature rise model.

High-resolution X-ray imaging in fast ignition experiment using Gekko and LFEX lasers

We improved diagnostic instruments to measure X-ray images in a hard X-ray harsh environment and succeeded in obtaining clear images with X-ray framing camera and X-ray streak camera in fast ignition experiment conducted in 2011 (FG-02 Experimental Campaign). We found that high-energy X-ray signals could be used as an indicator of the LFEX laser injection time relative to the imploded core. The LFEX laser injection time was estimated with better than 10 ps accuracy. Time-resolved 2D X-ray images suggested that shapes and motions of imploded core plasmas were improved by changing the configuration of the implosion lasers.

Absolute Kα line spectroscopy for cone-guided fast-ignition targets

Absolute Kα line spectroscopy is proposed to study laser-plasma interactions taking place in cone-guided fast ignition targets. A transmission-type spectrometer was developed, and its absolute sensitivity was measured with laser-generated x-rays and radioisotopes, showing good agreement with theoretical predictions. The absolute yield of Au Kα line was mesured in the fast ignition experimental campaign perfomed at ILE, Osaka University. Assuming a single Maxwellian electron spectrum and one-way travel of hot electrons through the cone, energy transfer efficiency of incident LFEX laser to hot electrons was derived.

High-energy-density plasmas generation on GEKKO-LFEX laser facility for fast-ignition laser fusion studies and laboratory astrophysics

The world's largest peta watt (PW) laser LFEX, which delivers energy up to 2 kJ in a 1.5 ps pulse, has been constructed beside the GEKKO XII laser at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University. The GEKKO-LFEX laser facility enables the creation of materials having high-energy-density which do not exist naturally on the Earth and have an energy density comparable to that of stars. High-energy-density plasma is a source of safe, secure, environmentally sustainable fusion energy. Direct-drive fast-ignition laser fusion has been intensively studied at this facility under the auspices of the Fast Ignition Realization Experiment (FIREX) project.In this paper, we describe improvement of the LFEX laser and investigations of advanced target design to increase the energy coupling efficiency of the fast-ignition scheme. The pedestal of the LFEX pulse, which produces a long preformed plasma and results in the generation of electrons too energetic to heat the fuel core, was reduced by introducing an amplified optical parametric fluorescence quencher and saturable absorbers in the front-end system of the LFEX laser. Since fast electrons are scattered and stopped by the strong electric field of highly ionized high-Z (i.e. gold) ions, a low-Z cone was studied for reducing the energy loss of fast electrons in the cone tip region. A diamond-like carbon cone was fabricated for the fast-ignition experiment. An external magnetic field, which is demonstrated to be generated by a laser-driven capacitor-coil target, will be applied to the compression of the fuel capsule to form a strong magnetic field to guide the fast electrons to the fuel core. In addition, the facility offers a powerful means to test and validate astronomical models and computations in the laboratory. As well as demonstrating the ability to recreate extreme astronomical conditions by the facilities, our theoretical description of the laboratory experiment was compared with the generally accepted explanation for astronomical observations.

X-ray backlight measurement of preformed plasma by kJ-class petawatt LFEX laser

Foot and pedestal pulses that precede the main pulse from a high-intensity laser greatly affect laser–plasma interactions. Especially in fast ignition schemes, preceding pulses generate a plasma prior to irradiation by the main pulse. This results in a too energetic and divergent electron beam being generated in the preformed plasma, which reduces the energy coupling efficiency from the heating laser to the dense fuel core. A preformed plasma with a density scale length of 40–60 μm was observed by a time- and space-resolved x-ray backlight technique using the LFEX laser system at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University. Preceding pulses (i.e., the foot and pedestal) of the LFEX were characterized by comparing observations with calculations results obtained using a two-dimension (2D) radiation-hydrodynamic simulation code. In a separate experiment, the 2D code was benchmarked with the experimentally observed hydrodynamic behavior of a gold plasma produced by a nanosecond laser pulse that mimicked foot and pedestal pulses (intensity: 1 ×1011−1×1012W/cm2). The preceding pulses were estimated to have an intensity of 1 ×1012−1013W/cm2, a duration of 2.0 ns, and a spot diameter at the target of 200–600 μm by comparing the measured hydrodynamics of the preformed plasma with that calculated by the 2D hydrodynamic simulation code.