Optimizing laser coupling,matter heating,and particle acceleration from solids using multiplexed ultraintense lasers

Realizing the full potential of ultrahigh-intensity lasers for particle and radiation generation will require multi-beam arrangements due to technology limitations.Here,we investigate how to optimize their coupling with solid targets.Experimentally,we show that overlapping two intense lasers in a mirror-like configuration onto a solid with a large preplasma can greatly improve the generation of hot electrons at the target front and ion acceleration at the target backside.The underlying mechanisms are analyzed through multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations,revealing that the self-induced magnetic fields driven by the two laser beams at the target front are susceptible to reconnection,which is one possible mechanism to boost electron energization.In addition,the resistive magnetic field generated during the transport of the hot electrons in the target bulk tends to improve their collimation.Our simulations also indicate that such effects can be further enhanced by overlapping more than two laser beams.

Characterization of bright betatron radiation generated by direct laser acceleration of electrons in plasma of near critical density

Directed x-rays produced in the interaction of sub-picosecond laser pulses of moderate relativistic intensity with plasma of near-critical density are investigated. Synchrotron-like (betatron) radiation occurs in the process of direct laser acceleration (DLA) of electrons in a relativisticlaser channel when the electrons undergo transverse betatron oscillations in self-generated quasi-static electric and magnetic fields. In anexperiment at the PHELIX laser system, high-current directed beams of DLA electrons with a mean energy ten times higher than the ponderomotive potential and maximum energy up to 100 MeV were measured at 10^(19) W/cm^(2)laser intensity. The spectrum of directed x-raysin the range of 5–60 keV was evaluated using two sets of Ross filters placed at 0°and 10°to the laser pulse propagation axis. The differential x-ray absorption method allowed for absolute measurements of the angular-dependent photon fluence. We report 10^(13) photons/sr withenergies >5 keV measured at 0°to the laser axis and a brilliance of 10^(21) photons s^(−1) mm^(−2) mrad−2(0.1%BW)−1. The angular distributionof the emission has an FWHM of 14°–16°. Thanks to the ultra-high photon fluence, point-like radiation source, and ultra-short emissiontime, DLA-based keV backlighters are promising for various applications in high-energy-density research with kilojoule petawatt-class laserfacilities.

Compact laser wakefield acceleration toward high energy with micro-plasma parabola

Laser wakefield acceleration(LWFA)promises compact accelerators toward the high-energy frontier.However,the approach to the 100 GeV milestone faces the obstacle of the long focal length required for optimal acceleration with high-power lasers,which reaches hundreds of meters for 10-100 PW lasers.The long focal length originates from optimal laser intensity required to avoid nonlinear effects and hence large spot size and Rayleigh length.We propose a"telescope"geometry in which a micro-plasma parabola(MPP)is coupled with a short-focal-length off-axis parabola,minimizing the focal length to the meter range for LWFA under optimized conditions driven by lasers beyond 1 PW.Full-dimensional kinetic simulations demonstrate the generation of a 9 GeV electron bunch within only 1 m optical length—only one-tenth of that required with the conventional approach with the same performance.The proposed MPP provides a basis for the construction of compact LWFAs toward single-stage 100 GeV acceleration with 100 PW class lasers.

Human radiological safety assessment for petawatt laser-driven ion acceleration experiments in CLAPA-T

The newly built Compact Laser Plasma Accelerator-Therapy facility at Peking University will deliver 60 J/1 Hz laser pulses with 30 fs duration.Driven by this petawatt laser facility,proton beams with energy up to 200 MeV are expected to be generated for tumor therapy.During high-repetition operation,both prompt radiation and residual radiation may cause safety problems.Therefore,human radiological safety assessment before commissioning is essential.In this paper,we simulate both prompt and residual radiation using the Geant4 and FLUKA Monte Carlo codes with reasonable proton and as-produced electron beam parameters.We find that the prompt radiation can be shielded well by the concrete wall of the experimental hall,but the risk from residual radiation is nonnegligible and necessitates adequate radiation cooling.On the basis of the simulation results,we discuss the constraints imposed by radiation safety considerations on the annual working time,and we propose radiation cooling strategies for different shooting modes.

Divergence angle consideration in energy spread measurement for high-quality relativistic electron beam in laser wakefield acceleration

The thorough exploration of the transverse quality represented by divergence angle has been lacking yet in the energy spread measurement of the relativistic electron beam for laser wakefield acceleration(LWFA). In this work, we fill this gap by numerical simulations based on the experimental data, which indicate that in a C-shape magnet, magnetic field possesses the beam focusing effect, considering that the divergence angle will result in an increase in the full width at half maxima(FWHM) of the electron density distribution in a uniformly isotropic manner, while the length-to-width ratio decreases. This indicates that the energy spread obtained from the electron deflection distance is smaller than the actual value, regardless of the divergence angle. A promising and efficient way to accurately correct the value is presented by considering the divergence angle(for instance, for an electron beam with a length-to-width ratio of 1.12, the energy spread correct from 1.2% to 1.5%), providing a reference for developing the high-quality electron beam source.

Electron Acceleration in the Cone-shaped Extra-intense Stationary Laser Field

A technique of electron acceleration in the cone shaped stationary laser field is proposed. An electron acceleration in this laser is studied, which shows that there is no electron bunching but there exists electron capture in this laser field.

On-chip ultrafast stackable dielectric laser positron accelerator

We present a first on-chip positron accelerator based on dielectric laser acceleration.This innovative approach significantly reduces the physical dimensions of the positron acceleration apparatus,enhancing its feasibility for diverse applications.By utilizing a stacked acceleration structure and far-infrared laser technology,we are able to achieve a seven-stage acceleration structure that surpasses the distance and energy gain of using the previous dielectric laser acceleration methods.Additionally,we are able to compress the positron beam to an ultrafast sub-femtosecond scale during the acceleration process,compared with the traditional methods,the positron beam is compressed to a greater extent.We also demonstrate the robustness of the stacked acceleration structure through the successful acceleration of the positron beam.

Non-Maxwellian electron distributions resulting from direct laser acceleration in near-critical plasmas

The irradiation of few-nm-thick targets by a finite-contrast high-intensity short-pulse laser results in a strong pre-expansion of these targets at the arrival time of the main pulse.The targets decompress to near and lower than critical densities with plasmas extending over few micrometers,i.e.multiple wavelengths.The interaction of the main pulse with such a highly localized but inhomogeneous target leads to the generation of a short channel and further self-focusing of the laser beam.Experiments at the Glass Hybrid OPCPA Scaled Test-bed(GHOST)laser system at University of Texas,Austin using such targets measured non-Maxwellian,peaked electron distribution with large bunch charge and high electron density in the laser propagation direction.These results are reproduced in 2D PIC simulations using the EPOCH code,identifying direct laser acceleration(DLA)[1]as the responsible mechanism.This is the first time that DLA has been observed to produce peaked spectra as opposed to broad,Maxwellian spectra observed in earlier experiments[2].This high-density electrons have potential applications as injector beams for a further wakefield acceleration stage as well as for pump-probe applications.

Laser Wakefield Acceleration Using Mid-Infrared Laser Pulses

We study a laser wakefield acceleration driven by mid-infrared （mid-IR） laser pulses through two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Since a mid-IR laser pulse can deliver a larger ponderomotive force as compared with the usual 0.8 μm wavelength laser pulse, it is found that electron self-injection into the wake wave occurs at an earlier time, the plasma density threshold for injection becomes lower, and the electron beam charge is substantially enhanced. Meanwhile, our study also shows that quasimonoenergetic electron beams with a narrow energy-spread can be generated by using mid-IR laser pulses. Such a mid-IR laser pulse can provide a feasible method for obtaining a high quality and high charge electron beam. Therefore, the current efforts on constructing mid-IR terawatt laser systems can greatly benefit the laser wakefield acceleration research.

Electron acceleration by tightly focused radially polarized few-cycle laser pulses

Within the framework of plane-wave angular spectrum analysis of the electromagnetic field structure, a solution valid for tightly focused radially polarized few-cycle laser pulses propagating in vacuum is presented. The resulting field distribution is significantly different from that based on the paraxial approximation for pulses with either small or large beam diameters. We compare the electron accelerations obtained with the two solutions and find that the energy gain obtained with our new solution is usually much larger than that with the paraxial approximation solution.

Characterization of supersonic and subsonic gas targets for laser wakefield electron acceleration experiments

The choice of the correct density profile is crucial in laser wakefield acceleration.In this work,both subsonic and supersonic gas targets are characterized by means of fluid-dynamic simulations and experimental interferometric measurements.The gas targets are studied in different configurations,and the density profiles most suitable for laser wakefield acceleration are discussed.

High-Order Temporal Corrected Fields of Ultra-Short Laser Pulses and Laser-Driven Acceleration

Up to third-order temporal correction in terms of a small dimensionless temporal parameter ε=1/（ωoto） （ω0=ck0 the central oscillatory frequency, to the pulse duration of half period）, the field expressions of ultra-short focused laser pulses are explicitly presented. To evaluate the correction efficacy, electric amplitudes of zeroth-order and higher-order corrected fields are compared for different pulse durations. Furthermore, electron interaction with ultra-short laser pulses is simulated using both the zeroth-order and higher-order corrected field equations. Our simulation results show that the third-order correction terms should be considered for investigating the interaction if the laser pulse duration decreases to a few optical periods.

Successive particle acceleration by use of two tightly focused ultra-short intense laser pulses

We suggest a scheme of electron acceleration by use of two tightly focused ultra-short intense laser pulses at a IOOTW level. Electroas obtain a preliminary acceleration with a small angular spread by the longitudinal ponderomotive force of the first pulse. They are then injected and further accelerated to hundreds of MeV by the second laser pulse.

Electron Acceleration by a Focused Gaussian Laser Pulse in Vacuum

By numerically solving the relativistic equations of motion of a single electron in laserfields modeled by a Gaussian laser beam, we get the trajectory and energy of the electron. Whenthe drifting distance is comparable to or even longer than the corresponding Rayleigh length, theevolution of the beam waist cannot be neglected. The asymmetry of intensity in acceleration anddeceleration leads to the conclusion that the electron can be accelerated effectively and extracted bythe longitudinal ponderomotive force. For intensities above 10～(19) Wμm～2/cm～2, an electron's energygain about MeV can be realized, and the energetic electron is parallel with the propagation axis.

An optical fiber spool for laser stabilization with reduced acceleration sensitivity to 10^(-12)/g

Environmental vibration causes mechanical deformation in optical fibers, which induces excess frequency noise in fiber-stabilized lasers. In order to solve such a problem, we propose an ultralow acceleration sensitivity fiber spool with symmetrically mounted structure. By numerical analysis with the finite element method, we obtain the optimal geometry parameters of the spool with which the horizontal and vertical acceleration sensitivity can be reduced to 3.25 × 10^-12/g and 5.38 × 10^-12/g respectively. Moreover, the structure features the insensitivity to the variation of geometry parameters,which will minimize the influence from numerical simulation error and manufacture tolerance.

Acceleration of Protons from a Double-Layer or Multi-Ion-Mixed Foil Irradiated by Ultraintense Lasers

Acceleration of protons by the radiation pressure of a circularly polarized laser pulse with the intensity up to 1021 W/cm^2 from a double-layer or multi-ion-mixed thin foil is investigated by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The double-layer foil is composed of a heavy ion layer and a proton layer. It is found that the radiation pressure acceleration can be classified into three regimes according to the laser intensity due to the different critical intensities for laser transparency with different ion species. When the laser intensity is moderately high, the laser pushes the electrons neither so slowly nor so quickly that the protons can catch up with the electrons, while the heavy ions cannot. Therefore, the protons can be accelerated efficiently. The proton beam generated from the double-layer foil is of better quality and higher energy than that from a pure proton foil with the same areal electron density. When the laser intensity is relatively low, both the protons and heavy ions are accelerated together, which is not favorable to the proton acceleration. When the laser intensity is relatively high, neither the heavy ions nor the protons can be accelerated efficiently due to the laser transparency through the target.

Effect of Foil Target Thickness in Proton Acceleration Driven by an Ultra-Short Laser

Proton acceleration experiments were carried out by a 1.2× 1018 W/cm2 ultra-short laser interaction with solid foil targets. The peak proton energy observed from an optimum target thickness of 7 μm in our experiments was 2.1 MeV. Peak proton energy and proton yield were investigated for different foil target thicknesses. It was shown that proton energy and conversion efficiency increased as the target became thinner, on one condition that the preplasma generated by the laser prepulse did not have enough shock energy and time to influence or destroy the target rear-surface. The existence of optimum foil thickness is due to the effect of the prepulse and hot electron transportation behavior on the foil target.

Photon Acceleration Based On Laser-Plasma

One dimensional electron density perturbation is derived by using the cold fluid equation, Possion's equation and the continuity equation. The perturbation is generated by a driving laser pulse propagating through a plasma. The upshifting of the frequency of a trailing pulse induced by density perturbation is studied by using optical metric. The results show that it is possible that the photon will gain energy from the wakefield when assuming photon's number to be conserved, i.e. , the photon will be accelerated.

Electron Acceleration During the Mode Transition from Laser Wakefield to Plasma Wakefield Acceleration with a Dense-Plasma Wall

The wake bubble expansion and contraction by adding a dense-plasma wall in the background plasma during the mode transition from laser wakefield to plasma wakefield accel- eration is investigated by particle-in-cell simulations. The electrons are injected continuously into the cavity until the lateral bubble size equals the inner diameter of the wall. The injected electron bunch from the laser wakefield acceleration （LWFA） scheme is quasi phase-stably accel- erated forward because of the longitudinal contraction of the bubble. After the laser pulse is depleted completely, the electron bunch generated from the LWFA scheme drives a plasma wake- field. The electrons remaining in the channel are trapped and accelerated by the plasma wakefield. Ultimately, two energetic electron bunches with a narrow energy spread and low emittance are obtained.

Further Acceleration of MeV Electrons by a Relativistic Laser Pulse

With the development of photocathode rf electron gun, electrons with high-brightness and mono-energy can be obtained easily. By numerically solving the relativistic equations of motion of an electron generated from this facility in laser fields modelled by a circular polarized Gaussian laser pulse, we find the electron can obtain high energy gain from the laser pulse. The corresponding acceleration distance for this electron driven by the ascending part of the laser pulse is much longer than the Rayleigh length, and the light amplitude experienced on the electron is very weak when the laser pulse overtakes the electron. The electron is accelerated effectively and the deceleration can be neglected.For intensities around 1019 W·μm2/cm2,an electron's energy gain near 0.1 GeV can be realized when its initial energy is 4.5 MeV, and the final velocity of the energetic electron is parallel with the propagation axis. The energy gain can be up to 1 GeV if the intensity is about 1021 W·μm2/cm2.The final energy gain of the electron as a function of its initial conditions and the parameters of the laser beam has also been discussed.