Influence of radiation reaction force on ultraintense laser-driven ion acceleration (original) (raw)
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AIP Conference Proceedings, 2009
At super-high laser intensities the radiation back reaction on electrons becomes so significant that its influence on laser-plasma interaction cannot be neglected while simulating these processes with particle-in-cell (PIC) codes. We discuss a way of taking the radiation effect on electrons into account and extracting spatial and frequency distributions of the generated highfrequency radiation. We also examine ponderomotive acceleration of ions in the double layer created by strong laser pulses and we compare an analytical description with PIC simulations as well. We discuss: (1) non-stationary features found in simulations, (2) electron cooling effect due to radiation losses, and (3) the limits of the analytical model.
Modelling of radiation losses for ion acceleration at ultra-high laser intensities
EPJ Web of Conferences, 2013
Radiation losses of charged particles can become important in ultra high intensity laser plasma interaction. This process is described by the radiation back reaction term in the electron equation of motion. This term is implemented in the relativistic particle-in-cell code by using a renormalized Lorentz-Abraham-Dirac model. In the hole boring regime case of laser ion acceleration it is shown that radiation losses results in a decrease of the piston velocity.
Advanced strategies for ion acceleration using high-power lasers
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, 2013
A short overview of laser-plasma acceleration of ions is presented. The focus is on some recent experimental results and related theoretical work on advanced regimes. These latter include in particular target normal sheath acceleration using ultrashort low-energy pulses and structured targets, radiation pressure acceleration in both thick and ultrathin targets, and collisionless shock acceleration in moderate density plasmas. For each approach, open issues and the need and potential for further developments are briefly discussed. PACS numbers: 52.38.-r 41.75.Jv 52.27.Ny Submitted to: Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
Fast ion acceleration in ultraintense laser interactions with an overdense plasma
Physical Review E, 2004
In order to study the ion acceleration processes in ultraintense laser-plasma interactions with solid targets, neutron spectra from deuteron-deuteron ͑D-D͒ nuclear reactions were measured. Spectra were obtained when ͑50-100 TW, 0.5-1 ps͒ laser light irradiated obliquely incident deuterated plastic targets as a function of laser polarization, intensity, and density scale length of the preformed plasma. The experimental data are compared with three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations. The results indicate that the ion momentum distribution is collimated and directed into the bulk of the target to the target normal direction with an energy that is linearly proportional to the laser intensity. The distribution of the accelerated ions was observed to change from isotropic to anisotropic with laser prepulse intensity. All the results indicate that the ion acceleration is dominated by an electrostatic field generated from a charge displacement of the hot electrons at the target surface.
Ion Acceleration by Collisionless Shocks in High-Intensity-Laser–Underdense-Plasma Interaction
Physical Review Letters, 2004
Ion acceleration by the interaction of an ultraintense short-pulse laser with an underdense-plasma has been studied at intensities up to 3 10 20 W=cm 2 . Helium ions having a maximum energy of 13:2 1:0 MeV were measured at an angle of 100 from the laser propagation direction. The maximum ion energy scaled with plasma density as n 0:700:05 e . Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations suggest that multiple collisionless shocks are formed at high density. The interaction of shocks is responsible for the observed plateau structure in the ion spectrum and leads to an enhanced ion acceleration beyond that possible by the ponderomotive potential of the laser alone.
Summary report of Working Group 6: Laser-plasma acceleration of ions
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2013
This is a summary of presentations and discussions in the Laser-Plasma Acceleration of Ions Working Group at the 2012 Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop. Presentations on various topics of laser-driven ion acceleration in plasma are reviewed, and the status and future directions of research in this area are presented
Laser-triggered ion acceleration at moderate intensity and pulse duration
Applied Physics B, 2005
Two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of laser-triggered ion acceleration in overdense plasma at moderate intensity ( 1.4 × 10 18 W/cm 2 ) and pulse duration ( 0.5 ps) are presented. We focus on the comparison of the efficiency of ion acceleration for normal and oblique incidence of the laser light, for backward and forward directions of ion emission, and for large and small focal spots. We discuss the correlation between the properties of accelerated ions and hot electrons, and identify the tendency of the ion spectra in the forward direction to those typical for the isothermal and adiabatic regimes of plasma expansion. PACS 52.38.Kd; 52.35.Mw; 52.75.Di
Longitudinal Ion Acceleration From High-Intensity Laser Interactions With Underdense Plasma
Plasma Science, …, 2008
Longitudinal ion acceleration from high-intensity (I ∼ 10 20 Wcm −2 ) laser interactions with helium gas jet targets (n e ≈ 0.04n c ) have been observed. The ion beam has a maximum energy for He 2+ of (40 +3 −8 ) MeV and was directional along the laser propagation path, with the highest energy ions being collimated to a cone of less than 10 • . 2D particle-in-cell simulations have been used to investigate the acceleration mechanism. The time varying magnetic field associated with the fast electron current provides a contribution to the accelerating electric field as well as providing a collimating field for the ions. A strong correlation between the plasma density and the ion acceleration was found. A short plasma scale-length at the vacuum interface was observed to be beneficial for the maximum ion energies, but the collimation appears to be improved with longer scale-lengths due to enhanced magnetic fields in the ramp acceleration region.
Plasma Physics Reports, 2010
When the dominant mechanism for ion acceleration is the laser radiation pressure, the conversion efficiency of the laser energy into the energy of relativistic ions may be very high. Stability analysis of a thin plasma layer accelerated by the radiation pressure shows that Raleigh-Taylor instability may enhance plasma inhomogeneity. In the linear stage of instability, the plasma layer decays into separate bunches, which are accelerated by the radiation pressure similarly to clusters accelerated under the action of an electromagnetic wave. The energy and luminosity of an ion beam accelerated in the radiation pressure dominated regime are calculated.