Generation and regulation of electromagnetic pulses generated by femtosecond lasers interacting with multitargets

Ultrashort and powerful laser interactions with a target generate intense wideband electromagnetic pulses(EMPs).In this study,we report EMPs generated by the interactions between petawatt(30 fs,1.4×10^(20) W/cm^(2))femtosecond(fs)lasers with metal flat,plastic flat,and plastic nanowire-array(NWA)targets.Detailed analyses are conducted on the EMPs in terms of their spatial distribution,time and frequency domains,radiation energy,and protection.The results indicate that EMPs from metal targets exhibit larger amplitudes at varying angles than those generated by other types of targets and are enhanced significantly for NWA targets.Using a plastic target holder and increasing the laser focal spot can significantly decrease the radiation energy of the EMPs.Moreover,the composite shielding materials indicate an effective shielding effect against EMPs.The simulation results show that the NWA targets exert a collimating effect on thermal electrons,which directly affects the distribution of EMPs.This study provides guidance for regulating EMPs by controlling the laser focal spot,target parameters,and target rod material and is beneficial for electromagnetic-shielding design.

Preparation of graphene on SiC by laser-accelerated pulsed ion beams

Laser-accelerated ion beams(LIBs) have been increasingly applied in the field of material irradiation in recent years due to the unique properties of ultra-short beam duration, extremely high beam current, etc. Here we explore an application of using laser-accelerated ion beams to prepare graphene. The pulsed LIBs produced a great instantaneous beam current and thermal effect on the SiC samples with a shooting frequency of 1 Hz. In the experiment, we controlled the deposition dose by adjusting the number of shootings and the irradiating current by adjusting the distance between the sample and the ion source. During annealing at 1100℃, we found that the 190 shots ion beams allowed more carbon atoms to self-assemble into graphene than the 10 shots case. By comparing with the controlled experiment based on ion beams from a traditional ion accelerator, we found that the laser-accelerated ion beams could cause greater damage in a very short time. Significant thermal effect was induced when the irradiation distance was reduced to less than 1 cm, which could make partial SiC self-annealing to prepare graphene dots directly. The special effects of LIBs indicate their vital role to change the structure of the irradiation sample.

Design and calibration of an elliptical crystal spectrometer for the diagnosis of proton-induced x-ray emission(PIXE)

Laser-driven proton-induced x-ray emission(laser-PIXE) is a nuclear analysis method based on the compact laser ion accelerator. Due to the transient process of ion acceleration, the laser-PIXE signals are usually spurted within nanoseconds and accompanied by strong electromagnetic pulses(EMP), so traditional multi-channel detectors are no longer applicable.In this work, we designed a reflective elliptical crystal spectrometer for the diagnosis of laser-PIXE. The device can detect the energy range of 1 keV–11 ke V with a high resolution. A calibration experiment was completed on the electrostatic accelerator of Peking University using samples of Al, Ti, Cu, and ceramic artifacts. The detection efficiency of the elliptical crystal spectrometer was obtained in the order of 10-9.

Measurements of plasma density profile evolutions with a channel-guided laser

The discharged capillary plasma channel has been extensively studied as a high-gradient particle acceleration and transmission medium.A novel measurement method of plasma channel density profiles has been employed,where the role of plasma channels guiding the advantages of lasers has shown strong appeal.Here,we have studied the high-order transverse plasma density profile distribution using a channel-guided laser,and made detailed measurements of its evolution under various parameters.The paraxial wave equation in a plasma channel with high-order density profile components is analyzed,and the approximate propagation process based on the Gaussian profile laser is obtained on this basis,which agrees well with the simulation under phase conditions.In the experiments,by measuring the integrated transverse laser intensities at the outlet of the channels,the radial quartic density profiles of the plasma channels have been obtained.By precisely synchronizing the detection laser pulses and the plasma channels at various moments,the reconstructed density profile shows an evolution from the radial quartic profile to the quasi-parabolic profile,and the high-order component is indicated as an exponential decline tendency over time.Factors affecting the evolution rate were investigated by varying the incentive source and capillary parameters.It can be found that the discharge voltages and currents are positive factors quickening the evolution,while the electron-ion heating,capillary radii and pressures are negative ones.One plausible explanation is that quartic profile contributions may be linked to plasma heating.This work helps one to understand the mechanisms of the formation,the evolutions of the guiding channel electron-density profiles and their dependences on the external controllable parameters.It provides support and reflection for physical research on discharged capillary plasma and optimizing plasma channels in various applications.

Synchronous post-acceleration of laser-driven protons in helical coil targets by controlling the current dispersion

Post-acceleration of protons in helical coil targets driven by intense,ultrashort laser pulses can enhance ion energy by utilizing the transient current from the targets’self-discharge.The acceleration length of protons can exceed a few millimeters,and the acceleration gradient is of the order of GeV/m.How to ensure the synchronization between the accelerating electric field and the protons is a crucial problem for efficient post-acceleration.In this paper,we study how the electric field mismatch induced by current dispersion affects the synchronous acceleration of protons.We propose a scheme using a two-stage helical coil to control the current dispersion.With optimized parameters,the energy gain of protons is increased by four times.Proton energy is expected to reach 45 MeV using a hundreds-of-terawatts laser,or more than 100 MeV using a petawatt laser,by controlling the current dispersion.

Fabrication of large-area uniform carbon nanotube foams as near-critical-density targets for laser–plasma experiments

Carbon nanotube foams(CNFs)have been successfully used as near-critical-density targets in the laser-driven acceleration of high-energy ions and electrons.Here we report the recent advances in the fabrication technique of such targets.With the further developed floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition(FCCVD)method,large-area(>25 cm^(2))and highly uniform CNFs are successfully deposited on nanometer-thin metal or plastic foils as double-layer targets.The density and thickness of the CNF can be controlled in the range of 1−13 mg/cm^(3)and 10−200µm,respectively,by varying the synthesis parameters.The dependence of the target properties on the synthesis parameters and the details of the target characterization methods are presented for the first time.

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.

Carbon nanotubes as outstanding targets for laser-driven particle acceleration

Under the irradiation of ultraintense laser pulses,targets made of gas,solid,or artificial materials can generate high-energy electrons,ions,and X-rays comparable to conventional accelerators or national light source facilities.Designing and creating high-performance targets are the core problems for laser acceleration.Nanotechnology and nanomaterials can help to build ideal targets that do not exist in nature.This paper reviews the advances in exploiting carbon nanotubes as outstanding targets for laser-driven particle acceleration in memory of Prof.Sishen Xie,the inventor of the fabrication method.We hope that the successful implementation of such targets in enhanced ion acceleration,high-efficiency electron acceleration,and brilliant X-ray generation could attract more interdiscipline interests and promote the development of this field.