Thin Solid Targets Research Articles

Large-area suspended graphene as a laser target to produce an energetic ion beam

Proton radiography is a key diagnostics to measure and image the electric/magnetic field in laser-produced plasmas. A thin solid target is irradiated with an intense laser pulse to produce a proton beam. The accelerated proton can achieve higher energy with thinner target. In order to produce an extremely thin target, we have developed a large-area suspended graphene as a laser target for energetic ion sources. We describe the manufacturing process of the suspended graphene, and show the results of quality evaluations.

Sub-picosecond snapshots of fast electrons from high intensity laser-matter interactions

The interaction of a high-intensity short-pulse laser with thin solid targets produces electron jets that escape the target and positively charge it, leading to the formation of the electrostatic potential that in turn governs the ion acceleration. The typical timescale of such phenomena is on the sub-picosecond level. Here we show, for the first time, temporally-resolved measurements of the first released electrons that escaped from the target, so-called fast electrons. Their total charge, energy and temporal profile are provided by means of a diagnostics based on Electro-Optical Sampling with temporal resolution below 100 fs.

Ablation and transmission of thin solid targets irradiated by intense extreme ultraviolet laser radiation

The interaction of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) laser beam with a parylene foil was studied by experiments and simulation. A single EUV laser pulse of nanosecond duration focused to an intensity of 3 × 1010 W cm−2 perforated micrometer thick targets. The same laser pulse was simultaneously used to diagnose the interaction by a transmission measurement. A combination of 2-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic and diffraction calculations was used to model the ablation, leading to good agreement with experiment. This theoretical approach allows predictive modelling of the interaction with matter of intense EUV beams over a broad range of parameters.

Sub GV/cm terahertz radiation from relativistic laser-solid interactions via coherent transition radiation

Broadband terahertz (THz) radiation with extremely high peak power, generated by the interaction of a femtosecond laser with a thin solid target, has been investigated via particle-in-cell simulations. The spatial (angular) and temporal profiles of the THz radiation reveal that it is caused by the coherent transition radiation emitted when laser-produced hot electrons pass through the front or rear surface of the target. Dependence of the THz radiation on laser and target parameters is studied; it is shown to have a strong correlation with hot electron production. The THz radiation conversion efficiency can be as high as a few times 10^{-3}. This radiation is not only a potentially high power THz source, but may also be used as a unique diagnostic of hot electron generation and transport in relativistic laser-solid interactions.

Elastic recoil cross section determination of deuterium by helium-4 ions at 30° with the energy range of 2.6–7.4 MeV

The elastic recoil cross section for D(4He, D) 4He was determined at a recoil angle of 30° over an incident helium energy range from 2.6 to 7.4MeV. A thin solid target Ta/TiDx/Si used for cross section measurement was prepared by direct current magnetron sputtering, and it was so stable to ion beam bombardment that nearly no deuterium loss (less than 0.2%) exists over the whole experiment. A relative determination method is adopted in this measurement. It can avoid the error from the beam dose and the solid angle of the detectors and it is also free to direct measurement of D content in the film. The total uncertainty in the cross section determination is less than 5%.

Dynamics and structure of self-generated magnetics fields on solids following high contrast, high intensity laser irradiation

The dynamics of self-generated magnetic B-fields produced following the interaction of a high contrast, high intensity (I > 1019 W cm−2) laser beam with thin (3 μm thick) solid (Al or Au) targets is investigated experimentally and numerically. Two main sources drive the growth of B-fields on the target surfaces. B-fields are first driven by laser-generated hot electron currents that relax over ∼10–20 ps. Over longer timescales, the hydrodynamic expansion of the bulk of the target into vacuum also generates B-field induced by non-collinear gradients of density and temperature. The laser irradiation of the target front side strongly localizes the energy deposition at the target front, in contrast to the target rear side, which is heated by fast electrons over a much larger area. This induces an asymmetry in the hydrodynamic expansion between the front and rear target surfaces, and consequently the associated B-fields are found strongly asymmetric. The sole long-lasting (>30 ps) B-fields are the ones growing on the target front surface, where they remain of extremely high strength (∼8–10 MG). These B-fields have been recently put by us in practical use for focusing laser-accelerated protons [B. Albertazzi et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 86, 043502 (2015)]; here we analyze in detail their dynamics and structure.

Transport of fast excited ions through thin solids probed by X-ray spectroscopy

Over more than a decade, experimental studies of the production and transport of projectile excited states in thin solid targets have been performed at GANIL for Ar17+ and Kr35+ in the so-called high velocity domain. A range of target thicknesses from single collision condition to equilibrium has been investigated. X-ray spectroscopy techniques have allowed us to determine absolute nℓ populations of core and Rydberg projectile states, as well as the relative population of fine structure substates (nℓj). In parallel, theoretical simulations to treat on the same footing all the competing processes, i.e., collisions, radiative decay and dynamical screening due to the wake field, have been developed. Methods based on either master equations or Monte Carlo approaches have allowed us to reach an unprecedented precision in the description of the ion transport in matter in the perturbative regime. In particular, a first direct measurement of the wake field usually extracted from ion stopping power has been performed.

Measurements of the elastic recoil cross-section for 1H(12C, 1H)12C

The elastic recoil cross section for 1H(12C, 1H)12C was determined at a recoil angle of 30° over an incident carbon energy range from 4.0 to 8.0MeV. The thin solid film target Pd/TiHx/Si used for cross section measurement was prepared by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. The measured cross-section data are compared with records available in literature and a similar trend over the energy range was shown. The total uncertainty in the present cross-section data is less than 7%.

Coherent transition radiation from thin targets irradiated by high intensity laser pulses

A theoretical examination on coherent transition radiations (CTR) from the surface of thin solid density target irradiated by high intensity laser is presented. The theory is extended to consider the expansion dynamics of thin foils. The motion of target surfaces leads to the modulation on the temporal structure of micro bunches in the electron beam as well as the spectrum of CTR. The spectral shifts of radiation are owing to the enhancement of electron bunch separation and the relativistic Doppler effects. The radiation power distribution is strongly affected by the temporal coherence of electron beam structure, so thus the electron temperature and velocity dispersions. With these effects accounted for, the spectral properties of coherent transition radiation can provide insights into the expansion of thin foil targets irradiated by intense laser pulse as well as the fast electron transport through it.

Prepulse and amplified spontaneous emission effects on the interaction of a petawatt class laser with thin solid targets

When a finite contrast petawatt laser pulse irradiates a micron-thick foil, a prepulse (including amplified spontaneous emission) creates a preplasma, where an ultrashort relativistically strong portion of the laser pulse (the main pulse) acquires higher intensity due to relativistic self-focusing and undergoes fast depletion transferring energy to fast electrons. If the preplasma thickness is optimal, the main pulse can reach the target accelerating fast ions more efficiently than an ideal, infinite contrast, laser pulse. A simple analytical model of a target with preplasma formation is developed and the radiation pressure dominant acceleration of ions in this target is predicted. The preplasma formation by a nanosecond prepulse is analyzed with dissipative hydrodynamic simulations. The main pulse interaction with the preplasma is studied with multi-parametric particle-in-cell simulations. The optimal conditions for hundreds of MeV ion acceleration are found with accompanying effects important for diagnostics, including high-order harmonics generation.

High-field half-cycle terahertz radiation from relativistic laser interaction with thin solid targets

It is found that half-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses with the peak field over 100 MV/cm can be produced in ultrashort intense laser interactions with thin solid targets. These THz pulses are shown to emit from both the front and rear sides of the solid target and are attributed to the coherent transition radiation by laser-produced ultrashort fast electron bunches. After the primary THz pulses, subsequent secondary half-cycle pulses are generated while some refluxing electrons cross the vacuum-target interfaces. Since such strong THz radiation is well synchronized with the driving lasers, it is particularly suitable for applications in various pump-probe experiments.

Three dimensional effects on proton acceleration by intense laser solid target interaction

Multi-dimensional effects on ion acceleration by a normally incident linearly polarized intense laser pulse interacting with a thin solid target have been investigated numerically, where the laser has the peak intensity of 1.37×1020 W/cm2, focused spot size of 6 μm, pulse duration of 33 fs, and total pulse energy about 3 J, which are commercially available now. We have checked the effects of simulation geometries by running one, two, and three dimensional (1D, 2D, 3D) particle-in-cell simulations. 3D simulation results show that, in the case of using a relatively thick target (in the opaque regime, i.e., 2 μm) with the so-called target normal sheath field acceleration mechanism, electrons spread almost uniformly along two transverse directions. While in the case of using an ultra-thin target (in the relativistic-induced transparent regime, i.e., 100 nm) with the so-called break-out afterburner mechanism, electrons spread more quickly along the direction orthogonal to the laser polarization direction especially at the early stage. The transverse spreading of electrons strongly decreases the electron density at the rear side of the target. Such an effect causes different estimation of electron temperatures in different simulation geometries. Usually, 1D and 2D simulations overestimate the temperature; and as a result, the maximum proton energy observed in 1D and 2D simulations is, respectively, about 3 and 2 times of that observed in 3D simulation.

Generation of hemispherical fast electron waves in the presence of preplasma in ultraintense laser-matter interaction

AbstractHemispherical electron plasma waves generated from ultraintense laser interacting with a solid target having a subcritical preplasma is studied using particle-in-cell simulation. As the laser pulse propagates inside the preplasma, it becomes self-focused due to the response of the plasma electrons to the ponderomotive force. The electrons are mainly heated via betatron resonance absorption and their thermal energy can become higher than the ponderomotive energy. The hot electrons easily penetrate through the thin solid target and appear behind it as periodic hemispherical shell-like layers separated by the laser wavelength.

Laser ion acceleration in the high laser energy and high laser intensity regimes

New laser facilities able to deliver either ultra high energy short pulses or ultra high intensity pulses are being constructed and will open new and exciting opportunities for laser ion acceleration. The interaction of a high intensity short pulse with underdense, near-critical and overdense targets has been studied using 2D Particle-In-Cell simulations in these regimes. In the ultra high energy regime, proton beams with maximum energies of hundreds of MeV and a high number of high energy protons could be accelerated using thin solid foils or low density targets. In the ultra high intensity regime, radiation losses will start affecting laser ion acceleration using thin overdense targets for intensities higher than 10 22 W/cm 2 , and produce very energetic ions.

Investigation of laser-driven proton acceleration using ultra-short, ultra-intense laser pulses

We report optimization of laser-driven proton acceleration, for a range of experimental parameters available from a single ultrafast Ti:sapphire laser system. We have characterized laser-generated protons produced at the rear and front target surfaces of thin solid targets (15 nm to 90 μm thicknesses) irradiated with an ultra-intense laser pulse (up to 1020 W⋅cm−2, pulse duration 30 to 500 fs, and pulse energy 0.1 to 1.8 J). We find an almost symmetric behaviour for protons accelerated from rear and front sides, and a linear scaling of proton energy cut-off with increasing pulse energy. At constant laser intensity, we observe that the proton cut-off energy increases with increasing laser pulse duration, then roughly constant for pulses longer than 300 fs. Finally, we demonstrate that there is an optimum target thickness and pulse duration.

Pilot experiment on proton acceleration using the 25 TW femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser system at PALS

Fast plasma particle streams have been produced from the interaction of thin solid targets with the recently commissioned 25TW, Ti:Sapphire, femtosecond laser operating at PALS Centre in Prague. A real-time diagnostic system was employed to characterize the produced particles. Low-current proton beams with energies exceeding 2MeV were detected by a silicon-carbide detector and their typical energy spectrum is reported. High-current slow plasma ions were recorded by ion collectors placed at different distances and angles. Particle streams were characterized with the future aim to use them as probe beams in combination with the kJ-class, iodine, sub-nanosecond laser beamline available at PALS.

Comparison of ion acceleration from ultra-short intense laser interactions with thin foil and small dense target

The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated from the interaction of a petawatt laser pulse with thin foil target and a small solid-density plasma bunch target have been studied by particle-in-cell simulation under identical conditions. It is shown that thin foil and small solid dense target of micrometer size can be efficiently accelerated when irradiated by a laser pulse of intensity >1021 W/cm2. Using direct beam measurements, we find that small solid dense target acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency compared to thin foil target acceleration. The merits of small solid target acceleration can be exploited for potential applications such as its role as ignitor for fast ignition in inertial confinement fusion.

Large, thin solid hydrogen target using para-H2

Abstract We have developed a large, thin solid hydrogen target (SHT) that is 30 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick for elastic scattering of protons from unstable nuclei. By using para-H 2 that has a high thermal conductivity at low temperatures, we could prevent sublimation at the target center due to radiation from the higher temperature surroundings. The uniform SHT was used during long-term scattering experiments and it maintained its shape and thickness.

Temperatures following x-ray free-electron-laser heating of thin low- and medium-Z solid targets

The absorption of ultrashort (100 fs or shorter) bursts of x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) radiation by thin (less than an attenuation length) solid carbon and iron target is modeled. Photon energies of several hundred eV to several keV and intensities of 1016 to 1018 W cm−2 are considered. We calculate carbon and iron temperatures at sufficient times after XFEL irradiation that local thermodynamic equilibrium has been established and electron-ion thermalization has occurred, assuming classical heat capacities. It is shown that there is an optimum photon energy for maximizing temperatures. Constant irradiation at 1018 W cm−2 for 100 fs with photons of 2 and 3 keV, for example, is predicted to result in a temperature of over 500 eV in solid density carbon and over 1 keV in solid density iron, respectively.

Electron Acceleration and Bunch Generation by Intense Femtosecond Laser Pulse in Preplasma of a Target

We present analytical studies of electron acceleration in the low-density preplasma of a thin solid target by an intense femtosecond laser pulse. Electrons in the preplasma are trapped and accelerated by the ponderomotive force as well as the wake field. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that when the laser pulse is stopped by the target, electrons trapped in the laser pules can be extracted and move forward inertially. The energetic electron bunch in the bubble is unaffected by the reflected pulse and passes through the target with small energy spread and emittance. There is an optimal preplasma density for the generation of the monoenergetic electron bunch if a laser pulse is given. The maximum electron energy is inverse proportion to the preplasma density.