Propagation Of Ultra-intense Laser Pulse Research Articles

Study of channel formation and relativistic ultra-short laser pulse propagation in helium plasma

In this study, plasma channel formation in pure He plasma (ionization electron density 0.01–0.1nc) interacting with ultra-short relativistic laser pulses (50 fs, >1019 W cm−2) was observed and analyzed. By appropriately selecting the laser pulse and gas backing pressure of the gas jet, a clear density channel longer than 300 μm and wider than 25 μm was achieved in less than 1.5 ps following the passage of the laser pulse, with a radial electron density gradient of ~1023 cm−4 at the channel walls. Numerical simulations for studying the affects of the plasma density, kinetic motion of electrons and ions, and nonlinear laser propagation on the plasma channel formation were carried out, which reproduced the experimental features. These density channels were mainly driven by the radial expulsion of plasma ions, with strong continuous laser self-focusing acting to improve the channeling efficiency. These channels can guide the propagation of ultra-intense laser pulses and supply several advanced applications in high-energy physics, including fast-ignition inertial confinement fusion, plasma-based particle accelerations, and sources of radiation.

Density profile of a line plasma generated by laser ablation for laser wakefield acceleration

An elongated line plasma generated by a laser ablation of an aluminum target was investigated, which can be used in the laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) by employing ultra-intense laser pulse through the longitudinal direction of the plasma. To generate a uniform and long plasma channel along the propagation of ultra-intense laser pulse (main pulse), a cylindrical lens combined with a biprism was used to shape the intensity of a ns Nd:YAG laser (pre-pulse) on the Al target. A uniformity of laser intensity can be manipulated by changing the distance between the biprism and the target. The density profile of the plasma generated by laser ablation was measured using two interferometers, indicating that a 3-mm long uniform line plasma with a density of 6 × 1017 cm−3 could be generated. The density with main pulse was also measured and the results indicated that the density would increase further due to additional ionization of the plasma by the main ultra-intense laser pulse. The resulting plasma density, which is a crucial parameter for the LWFA, can be controlled by the intensity of the pre-pulse, the time delay between the pre- and main pulse, and the distance of the main pulse from the target surface.

Generation of GeV protons from 1 PW laser interaction with near critical density targets

The propagation of ultraintense laser pulses through matter is connected with the generation of strong moving magnetic fields in the propagation channel as well as the formation of a thin ion filament along the axis of the channel. Upon exiting the plasma the magnetic field displaces the electrons at the back of the target, generating a quasistatic electric field that accelerates and collimates ions from the filament. Two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that a 1 PW laser pulse tightly focused on a near-critical density target is able to accelerate protons up to an energy of 1.3 GeV. Scaling laws and optimal conditions for proton acceleration are established considering the energy depletion of the laser pulse.

Electric field detection in laser-plasma interaction experiments via the proton imaging technique

Due to their particular properties, the beams of the multi-MeV protons generated during the interaction of ultraintense (I>1019 W/cm2) short pulses with thin solid targets are most suited for use as a particle probe in laser-plasma experiments. The recently developed proton imaging technique employs the beams in a point-projection imaging scheme as a diagnostic tool for the detection of electric fields in laser-plasma interaction experiments. In recent investigations carried out at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL, UK), a wide range of laser-plasma interaction conditions of relevance for inertial confinement fusion (ICF)/fast ignition has been explored. Among the results obtained will be discussed: the electric field distribution in laser-produced long-scale plasmas of ICF interest; the measurement of highly transient electric fields related to the generation and dynamics of hot electron currents following ultra-intense laser irradiation of targets; the observation in underdense plasmas, after the propagation of ultra-intense laser pulses, of structures identified as the remnants of solitons produced in the wake of the pulse.

Interaction of ultraintense laser pulses with an underdense, preformed plasma channel

We report on experimental results regarding the propagation of ultraintense laser pulses in a preformed plasma channel. In this experiment, the long (4-mm) fully ionized plasma channel created by the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) was measured by interferometry before and after the propagation of the short laser pulse. Forward spectra show a cascade of Raman satellites, which merge with one another when the laser power was increased up to critical power for relativistic self-focusing P/sub c/. The number of filaments measured by interferometry increases when the laser power increases. High conversion efficiency (/spl ap/10%) of second harmonic generation was observed in the interaction.

Propagation of ultraintense laser pulses through overdense plasma layers

Due to relativistic effects, a large amplitude electromagnetic wave can propagate in a classically overdense plasma with ω2p≳ω2≳ω2p/γ, where ωp is the plasma frequency, ω the laser frequency, and γ the relativistic factor of an electron in the laser field. Particle-in-cell simulations are used to study the interaction of an ultrahigh intensity laser pulse in normal incidence on a one-dimensional preformed plasma layer. Both electrons and ions dynamics are included. The width of the layer is 10 to 30 μm and the plasma is characterized by (ωp/ω)2=1.5. During the penetration of the electromagnetic wave a large longitudinal electric field is generated. It results in a strong longitudinal heating of electrons which reach relativistic temperatures. This heating further lowers the effective plasma frequency ωp/γ so the layer becomes almost transparent after the plasma crossing by the wave front. Velocity of the wave front, reflection and transmission rates are studied as functions of the incident energy flux, the plasma thickness, and the pulse duration.