Zhangying Jin

Efficient GeV ion generation by ultraintense circularly polarized laser pulse

The interaction of an ultraintense circularly polarized laser pulse and a solid target is studied by one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Ions at the front of the target are reflected by a moving quasisteady electrostatic field and obtain a relativistic velocity. At a laser intensity of 1022W∕cm2, almost half of the laser energy is transferred to ions and GeV ions are obtained. Effects of laser polarization state and target thickness on the laser energy conversion are investigated. It is found that a circularly polarized laser pulse can accelerate ions more efficiently than a linearly polarized laser pulse at the same laser and target parameters. A monoenergetic ion bunch is obtained for the ultrathin target, which is accelerated as a single entity.

Multistaged acceleration of ions by circularly polarized laser pulse: Monoenergetic ion beam generation

A multiple-staged ion acceleration mechanism in the interaction of a circularly polarized laser pulse with a solid target is studied by one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The ions are accelerated from rest to several MeV monoenergetically at the front surface of the target. After all the plasma ions are accelerated, the acceleration process is repeated on the resulting monoenergetic ions. Under suitable conditions multiple repetitions can be realized and a high-energy quasi-monoenergetic ion beam can be obtained.

Controlled electron acceleration in the bubble regime by optimizing plasma density

Improvement of the quality of the monoenergetic electron bunch generated in the laser wakefield is investigated. The electrostatic field is more intense near the back of the bubble than at other locations in the bubble. By optimizing the density gradient of background plasma, the local dephasing problem can theoretically be overcome and the electron bunch can be stably accelerated at the back of the bubble so that the accelerated electrons experience nearly the same electric field. Three-dimensional simulations were performed. Compared with the standard wakefield acceleration schemes, a better-quality electron bunch, with narrower energy spread and higher energy, is obtained with a shorter acceleration distance.

Generation of plasma intrinsic oscillation at the front surface of a target irradiated by a circularly polarized laser pulse

In laser-target interaction, the effects of laser intensity on plasma oscillation at the front surface of targets have been investigated by one-dimensional particle in cell simulations. The periodical oscillations of the ion density and electrostatic field at the front surface of the targets are reported for the first time, which is considered as an intrinsic property of the target excited by the laser. The oscillation period depends only on initial plasma density and is irrelevant with laser intensity. Flattop structures with curves in ion phase space are found with a more intense laser pulse due to the larger amplitude variation of the electrostatic field. A simple but valid model is proposed to interpret the curves.

High-energy monoenergetic proton bunch from laser interaction with a complex target

Generation of high-energy proton bunch in the interaction of a high-power laser pulse with a complex target consisting of a front horizontal slice adjoining a conventional heavy ion and proton double-layer slab is investigated using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The laser pulse propagates along both sides of the slice. A large number of hot electrons are generated and accelerated by the surface ponderomotive force, and transported through the double layer, forming a backside sheath field which is considerably stronger and more localized than that produced by the electrons from a simple double layer. As a result, the protons in the proton layer can be accelerated to energies more than three times, and the energy spread halved, that from the simple double layer.

Effect of plasma temperature on electrostatic shock generation and ion acceleration by laser

The effect of plasma temperature on electrostatic shock generated by a circularly polarized laser pulse in overdense plasma is studied by particle-in-cell simulation. Ion reflection and transmission in the collisionless electrostatic shock (CES) are investigated analytically. As the initial ion temperature is varied, a distinct transition from the laser-driven piston scenario with all ions being reflected to the CES scenario with partial ion reflection is found. The results show that at low but finite temperatures the ions are much more accelerated than if they were cold.

Electron acceleration by a propagating laser pulse in vacuum

Electrons accelerated by a propagating laser pulse of linear or circular polarization in vacuum have been investigated by one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and analytical modeling. A stopping target is used to stop the laser pulse and extract the energetic electrons from the laser field. The effect of the reflected light is taken into account. The maximum electron energy depends on the laser intensity and initial electron energy. There is an optimal acceleration length for electrons to gain maximum energy where electrons meet the peak of the laser pulse. The optimal acceleration length depends strongly on the laser pulse duration and amplitude.

Oval-like hollow intensity distribution of tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses in air.

The propagation of a tightly focused femtosecond laser pulse in air has been investigated. Unlike long-distance self-guided propagation of short laser pulses, a novel oval-like hollow distribution of the laser intensity is observed in the experiments and reproduced by the numerical simulations. The formation of the hollow structures can be explained by the interplay between ionization-induced refraction and Kerr self-focusing.

Forward dynamics of water-plasmas produced by femtosecond laser pulses

The evolution of the forward density front of water-plasmas generated by ultrashort laser pulses on an air–water interface is investigated with optical diagnostics. The density front is found to move with supersonic speed at the beginning, as predicted by a hydrodynamics simulation. This plasma-expansion process is followed by a fluid mechanical process. The expansion rate gradually reduces to the acoustic speed in water.