C.-G. Wahlstrom

Effects of front surface plasma expansion on proton acceleration in ultraintense laser irradiation of foil targets

The properties of beams of high energy protons accelerated during ultraintense, picosecond laser-irradiation of thin foil targets are investigated as a function of preplasma expansion at the target front surface. Significant enhancement in the maximum proton energy and laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency is observed at optimum preplasma density gradients, due to self-focusing of the incident laser pulse. For very long preplasma expansion, the propagating laser pulse is observed to filament, resulting in highly uniform proton beams, but with reduced flux and maximum energy.

Effect of laser contrast ratio on electron beam stability in laser wakefield acceleration experiments

Laser wakefield accelerators offer the possibility of compact electron acceleration. However one of the key outstanding issues with the results reported to date is the electron beam stability. Experiments on two laser systems reveal that the contrast ratio between the ASE pedestal and main pulse is an important factor in determining the quality of the electron beam. With a high contrast ratio (10^8) the electron beam profile is a well collimated single beam having a low pointing instability (<10 mrad rms). With a lower contrast (10^6) the beam profile contains multiple beamlets which exhibit a large pointing instability (~50 mrad rms). Ahigh contrast ratio not only improves the beam pointing stability (~6 mrad) but also stabilizes the electron beam energy reproducibility (5%). (Less)

Effects of laser prepulses on laser-induced proton generation

Low-intensity laser prepulses (<10(13) W cm(-2), nanosecond duration) are a major issue in experiments on laser-induced generation of protons, often limiting the performances of proton sources produced by high-intensity lasers (approximate to 10(19) W cm(-2), picosecond or femtosecond duration). Depending on the intensity regime, several effects may be associated with the prepulse, some of which are discussed in this paper: (i) destruction of thin foil targets by the shock generated by the laser prepulse; (ii) creation of preplasma on the target front side affecting laser absorption; (iii) deformation of the target rear side; and (iv) whole displacement of thin foil targets affecting the focusing condition. In particular, we show that under oblique high-intensity irradiation and for low prepulse intensities, the proton beam is directed away from the target normal. Deviation is towards the laser forward direction, with an angle that increases with the level and duration of the ASE pedestal. Also, for a given laser pulse, the beam deviation increases with proton energy. The observations are discussed in terms of target normal sheath acceleration, in combination with a laser-controllable shock wave locally deforming the target surface.

Scintillator-based ion beam profiler for diagnosing laser-accelerated ion beams

Next generation intense, short-pulse laser facilities require new high repetition rate diagnostics for the detection of ionizing radiation. We have designed a new scintillator-based ion beam profiler capable of measuring the ion beam transverse profile for a number of discrete energy ranges. The optical response and emission characteristics of four common plastic scintillators has been investigated for a range of proton energies and fluxes. The scintillator light output (for 1 MeV > Ep < 28 MeV) was found to have a non-linear scaling with proton energy but a linear response to incident flux. Initial measurements with a prototype diagnostic have been successful, although further calibration work is required to characterize the total system response and limitations under the high flux, short pulse duration conditions of a typical high intensity laser-plasma interaction.

Time-gated x-ray tomography

Time-gated x-ray tomography with scatter reduction is demonstrated using a laser-produced plasma as an ultrashort-pulse x-ray source in combination with a time-resolving streak-camera detector. Backprojections of a phantom imbedded in 9 cm of water show an effective 50% increase in contrast when scattered x-ray quanta (being delayed in time) are suppressed by gating on the prompt, nonscattered photons. Implications for future volumetric tomography, in particular concerning possible dose reductions, are discussed.

Electron beams and X ray radiation generated by laser wakefield in capillary tubes

Laser wakefield is generated inside capillary tubes in order to study the conditions for self-injection of plasma electrons and their acceleration inside a large domain of parameters. Dielectric capillary tubes are employed to guide the laser pulse and collect laser energy around the central focal spot to favor laser propagation. Electrons are observed to be self-injected and accelerated to the 200 MeV range when a peak laser intensity as low as 5×1017 W/cm2 is used. X-rays emitted by betatron radiation constitute a precise diagnostic of the electron acceleration process. Furthermore, the peak brightness of X-rays is increased to 1021 ph/s/mm2/mrad2/0.1%BW when the laser pulse is focused to 5×1018 W/cm2, which is about 30 times higher than the value obtained by using a 2 mm gas jet.

Effects of laser prepulse on proton generation: active manipulation of the distribution of laser accelerated proton beams

Laser pre‐pulse is a major issue in experiments on laser‐generation of protons, often limiting the performances of laser sources. In this paper, we show how we can actively use a low intensity prepulse (<1013u2009W/cm2, ns duration) to manipulate the proton beam direction or spatial energy distribution. The prepulse is focused onto the front surface of a thin foil before the arrival of the high intensity pulse (≈1019u2009W/cm2, ps duration). Under oblique high‐intensity irradiation and for low prepulse intensities, the proton beam is directed away from the target normal. Deviation is towards the laser forward direction, with an angle that increases with the level and duration of the ASE pedestal. Also, for a given laser pulse, beam deviation increases with proton energy. The observations are discussed in terms of Target Normal Sheath Acceleration, in combination with a laser‐controllable shock wave locally deforming the target surface. Results obtained with an annular intensity distribution of the prepulse show s...

Laser wakefield acceleration in the first plasma wave period

Beam profile measurements of laser-wakefield accelerated electrons reveal that the electrons are accelerated within the first wave period of the plasma wave.