Theodor Schlegel

Modeling of the electrostatic sheath shape on the rear target surface in short-pulse laser-driven proton acceleration

Proton beams, generated in the interaction process of short ultra-intense laser pulses with thin foils, carry imprints of rear side target structures. These intensity patterns, imaged with a particle detector, sometimes show slight deformations. We propose an analytical model to describe these deformations by the spatial shape of a monoenergetic layer of protons in the beginning of free proton propagation. We also present results of simulations, which reproduce the detected structures and allow finally making quantitative conclusions on the shape of the layer. In experiments with electrically conducting targets, the shape is always close to a parabolic one independently on target thickness or laser parameters. Since the protons are pulled by the free electrons, there must be a strong correlation to the electron space charge distribution on the rear side of the illuminated foil. Simulations demonstrate that the deformations in the detected patterns of the proton layers are very sensitive to the initial layer shape. Analyzing spatial structures of the generated proton beams we can indirectly conclude on electron transport phenomena in the overdense part of the target.

Intense ion beams accelerated by relativistic laser plasmas

We have studied the influence of the target properties on laser-accelerated proton and ion beams generated by the LULI multi-terawatt laser. A strong dependence of the ion emission on the surface conditions, conductivity, shape and material of the thin foil targets were observed. We have performed a full characterization of the ion beam using magnetic spectrometers, Thompson parabolas, radiochromic film and nuclear activation techniques. The strong dependence of the ion beam acceleration on the conditions on the target back surface was found in agreement with theoretical predictions based on the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. Proton kinetic energies up to 25 MeV have been observed.

Intense ion beams accelerated by ultra-intense laser pulses

The discovery of intense ion beams off solid targets irradiated by ultra-intense laser pulses has become the subject of extensive international interest. These highly collimated, energetic beams of protons and heavy ions are strongly depending on the laser parameters as well as on the properties of the irradiated targets. Therefore we have studied the influence of the target conditions on laser-accelerated ion beams generated by multi-terawatt lasers. The experiments were performed using the 100 TW laser facility at Laboratoire pour l’Utilisation des Laser Intense (LULI). The targets were irradiated by pulses up to 5×1019 W/cm2 (∼300 fs,λ=1.05 μm) at normal incidence. A strong dependence on the surface conditions, conductivity, shape and purity was observed. The plasma density on the front and rear surface was determined by laser interferometry. We characterized the ion beam by means of magnetic spectrometers, radiochromic film, nuclear activation and Thompson parabolas. The strong dependence of the ion b...

Experimental investigations of multiple weak shock waves induced by intense heavy ion beams in solid matter

The dynamics of low entropy weak shock waves induced by heavy ion beams in solid targets was investigated by means of a schlieren technique. The targets consist of a metallic absorber for the beam energy deposition followed by a plexiglass block for optical observations. Multiple waves propagating with supersonic velocities at 15 kbar pressures were observed in the plexiglass, for pressures of up to 70 kbar numerically calculated in the absorbers. Pressures in the megabar ranges are predicted for a near future beam upgrade, enabling studies of phase transition to metallic states of H, Kr, and Xe.

Intense, high-quality ion beams generated by ultra-intense lasers

The advent of ultra-intense short-pulse laser systems has opened the field of relativistic laser-generated plasmas in which the electron temperature exceeds several MeV. One particularly exciting topic of recent interest has been the discovery of intense, collimated, energetic beams of ions off the back surface of solid targets. The beam currents exceed several hundreds of kiloamperes at a pulse duration of only a few picoseconds.

Short Pulse Laser Driven Ion Beams — Experiments and Applications

We present the results of a study on the acceleration of intense ion beams from solid targets irradiated with laser intensities up to 5×1019W/cm2. A strong dependence of the ion beam parameters on the conditions on the target conditions and laser parameter was found. The ion beam characteristic revealed a highly laminar acceleration and an excellent beam quality superior to that from conventional accelerators. We succeeded in shaping the ion beam by the appropriate tailoring of the target geometry and we performed a characterization of the ion beam quality. The production of a heavy ion beam could be achieved by suppressing the amount of protons at the target surfaces. Finally, we demonstrated the use of short pulse laser driven ion beams for radiography of thick samples with high resolution.