Harmonic generation during ultrashort-pulse ultraintense p-polarized laser interaction with solid target

In this Letter, we developed the “relativistic surface currents” model to investigate the harmonic generation under the conditions of p-polarized obliquely incident ultrashort-pulse ultraintense laser. As a result of this Letter, up to 70 harmonics are generated with conversion efficiencies exceeding 10⁻⁶, which is very close to the result from Norreys' experiment and Gibbon's PIC simulations. For highly relativistic regime and nonrelativistic regime of laser power, the harmonic conversion efficiencies as a function of laser strength parameter q are discussed.     

Six MeV proton acceleration from plasma generated by high-intensity laser using advanced thin polyethylene targets

Proton acceleration can be induced by non-equilibrium plasma developed by high-intensity laser pulses, at 10¹⁶ W/cm², irradiating different types of thin polyethylene targets. The process of proton acceleration and directive yield emission was investigated, optimizing the laser parameters, the irradiation conditions, and the target properties. The use of 600 J pulse energy, a laser focalization inducing self-focusing effects and advanced targets with embedded nanoparticles and optimal thicknesses, has permitted to accelerate forward protons up to the energies of about 6 MeV and amount of the order of 10¹⁵ H⁺/pulse. High proton energy is obtained using thin foils enriched with gold nanoparticles, whereas high proton yield is obtained using targets with a thickness of about 10 μm. The plasma diagnostics using SiC semiconductor detectors in time-of-flight configuration was fundamental to monitor the optimal conditions to improve the plasma processes concerning the ion acceleration and the X-ray and relativistic electron emission.     

Fast electron generation under proton interaction with a silicon surface

The computational procedure for a number of fast electrons generated by ion impact with a surface is proposed. The ionization of 2s and 2p atomic shells is shown to be the main source of fast electrons under proton interaction with a silicon surface. The number of fast electrons does not depend on the angle of ion incidence on a surface with a small number of reflected ions.     

Simultaneous generation of a proton beam and terahertz radiation in high-intensity laser and thin-foil interaction

We have observed simultaneously both the fast proton generation and terahertz (THz) radiation in the laser pulse interaction with a 5-μm thick titanium target. In order to control the proton acceleration and THz radiation, we have changed the duration of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) preceding the main pulse generated by the high-intensity Ti:sapphire laser. A fast proton beam with the maximal energy of ∼ 490 keV has been realized by reducing the duration of the ASE. Simultaneously, an intense emission of THz radiation is observed for various ASE durations. We propose the antenna mechanism for the THz radiation, according to which the fast electrons moving along the target surface emit the low-frequency electromagnetic wave. PACS 52.25.Os; 52.38.Kd; 52.50.Jm     

Narrow-directed fast-ion flow generation from targets irradiated by a picosecond laser pulse

The proton and deuteron yields from thin targets irradiated by a picosecond laser pulse with an average radiation intensity of ≤4×10¹⁸ W/cm² at the target were measured in the megaelectron-volt energy range. A ring structure was observed for the outgoing ions, and the angular ion-beam divergence was found to be extremely small (0.5°). The fast-ion generation mechanism allowing for the appearance of ring structure is discussed, and the characteristic energies and spatioangular ion-beam distribution are estimated.     

SIMS,EID and flash-filament investigation of O2, H2, (O2 + H2) and H2O interaction with vanadium

Comparative investigations of secondary ion emission, electron induced ion emission and flash filament signals from polycrystalline vanadium surfaces exposed to well-defined O₂, H₂, H₂O and (O₂ + H₂) doses (<500 L) have been carried out. The vanadium target could be heated and bombarded by either electrons (300 eV) or ions (3 keV) under ultra high vacuum conditions (<10^?10 Torr). The investigations were carried out with a computer controlled ultra high vacuum mass spectrometer. The experimental results establish exact reproducible spectra of well defined surface layers. They give detailed insight into the reactions between H₂, O₂ H₂O and vanadium, and some interactions between these species. They further indicate the importance of bulk and surface diffusion as well as the influence of the probing ion and electron bombardment. A clear distinction between bulk oxygen, surface oxides, and adsorbed oxygen for the vanadium-oxygen interaction at room temperature could be established. For the interaction of hydrogen with clean and oxygen covered vanadium surfaces the formation of adsorbed hydrogen, bulk solution of hydrogen, and the formation of OH groups and H₂O could be demonstrated. A detection limit below 10^?5 of one single monolayer for metal bonded hydrogen could be established.     

强激光打固体靶所致硬X射线屏蔽模拟研究

强激光与固体靶相互作用产生的硬X射线已被证实为一种新的电离辐射源,其辐射防护问题引起国内外相关领域的广泛关注。为了便于开展这类电离辐射源的屏蔽设计,研究了强激光打靶所致硬X射线在常用屏蔽材料中的剂量衰减曲线和十值层（TVL）。利用蒙特卡罗程序FLUKA建立了强激光打靶所致硬X射线的屏蔽计算模型,开发了专门的统计程序,解决了屏蔽层之间由于粒子反散射造成的重复统计问题,使得可以通过一次模拟得到不同屏蔽厚度下的光子剂量。计算结果表明:当电子温度为0.5~10 MeV时,X射线在混凝土中的十值层从24 cm到56 cm不等。其中X射线的十值层会随着电子温度的增加而增加,并逐渐趋于饱和。而对于铅屏蔽,除了第一个十值层（TVL1）外,平衡十值层随电子温度的变化较小,在4.7~5.4 cm范围内。另外,当电子温度较高时,探测器到屏蔽体的距离不同会使得TVL1值存在明显的差异。     

强激光打固体靶所致硬X射线屏蔽模拟研究

强激光与固体靶相互作用产生的硬X射线已被证实为一种新的电离辐射源,其辐射防护问题引起国内外相关领域的广泛关注。为了便于开展这类电离辐射源的屏蔽设计,研究了强激光打靶所致硬X射线在常用屏蔽材料中的剂量衰减曲线和十值层（TVL）。利用蒙特卡罗程序FLUKA建立了强激光打靶所致硬X射线的屏蔽计算模型,开发了专门的统计程序,解决了屏蔽层之间由于粒子反散射造成的重复统计问题,使得可以通过一次模拟得到不同屏蔽厚度下的光子剂量。计算结果表明:当电子温度为0.5~10 MeV时,X射线在混凝土中的十值层从24 cm到56 cm不等。其中X射线的十值层会随着电子温度的增加而增加,并逐渐趋于饱和。而对于铅屏蔽,除了第一个十值层（TVL1）外,平衡十值层随电子温度的变化较小,在4.7~5.4 cm范围内。另外,当电子温度较高时,探测器到屏蔽体的距离不同会使得TVL1值存在明显的差异。     

Photon and positron generation by ultrahigh intensity laser interaction with electron beams

This study investigates the generation of high energy photons and positrons using focused ultrahigh intensity femtosecond laser pulses on a relativistic electron beam with a set of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. We consider circularly and linearly polarized, single and spatially separated double laser pulses. We model both 500 MeV and 1 GeV electron beams. Higher positron production is obtained using circularly polarized laser pulses. Using double pulses, the focusing effect of the ponderomotive force confines the electrons to a small volume, generating additional energetic photons and positrons. The positron spectral distributions are effectively modified by these variations. When the electron beam energy is doubled, the number of positrons increased, while the cutoff energy remained nearly constant.     

强激光与双锥靶作用加速准单能质子束

提出了一种新型的双锥靶结构用于准单能质子束加速。利用二维PIC粒子模拟程序研究了强激光与双锥靶作用加速产生质子束的物理过程以及质子束品质。双锥靶产生的质子束在峰值能量和发散角度等方面都明显优于相同激光条件下单锥靶和平面靶的结果。尤其与平面靶相比,双锥靶质子束的峰值能量提高了5倍以上,而且很好地保持准单能性。一方面双锥靶的内锥部分是临界密度材料,提高了激光的吸收效率;另一方面双锥靶内形成了更强的准静态磁场,可以约束引导更多的超热电子传输过锥尖,进而增强加速质子束的鞘层电场。     

Selective optothermal detection of NO2 and H2O with a frequency-tuned CO waveguide laser

The results are reported of the CO-laser optothermal (OT) detection of impurity gases when their absorption spectra overlap with those of an interfering gas. The influence of the latter was avoided using low gas pressures corresponding to a maximum of the OT sensitivity. Frequency tuned in the 5.2–6.3 m wavelength range, ¹²C¹⁶O and ¹³C¹⁶O waveguide lasers were used. The fine frequency tuning at 490 MHz was achieved for 150 laser transitions of both molecules. The OT sensitivity was estimated by NO₂ detection in the presence of water vapor. The minimal detectable concentration proved to be 60 ppb at P _19–18(14) transition of a ¹²C¹⁶O laser for NO₂ and 75 ppb on P _12–11(13) transition of a ¹³C¹⁶O laser for H₂O.     

Seawater intrusion into groundwater aquifer through a coastal lake - complex interaction characterised by water isotopes 2H and 18O

The present study investigates the complex interactions among surface waters, groundwaters and a coastal lake in northeastern Greece, using their stable isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) in combination with hydrogeological and hydrochemical data. Seasonal and spatial trends of water isotopes were studied and revealed that all water bodies in the study area interact. It was also shown that the aquifer's increased salinity is not due to fossil water from past geological periods, but is attributed to brackish lake water intrusion into the aquifer induced by the extensive groundwater pumping for irrigation purposes. Quantification of the contribution of the lake to the aquifer was achieved using the simple dilution formula. The isotopic signatures of the seawater and the groundwaters are considerably different, so there is a very little possibility of direct seawater intrusion into the aquifer.     

强激光与锥型结构靶相互作用准直电子束粒子模拟研究

利用PIC(particle-in-cell)方法模拟研究了超短强激光与锥型三明治结构靶相互作用快电子束的产生和传输,并与锥通道靶、锥丝靶和锥靶在相同激光参数下的作用结果进行了比较.研究发现强激光与锥三明治靶作用产生的快电子能被不同密度材料产生的准静态界面强磁场有效地准直传输.相对其他三种锥型结构靶,锥三明治靶能产生更多数目及更高能量的快电子,提高了激光到快电子的能量转换效率和快电子束的品质,这对快点火能量沉积是有利的.     

超短超强激光与固体靶相互作用中超热电子的角分布

 用3TW超短超强激光器进行了激光与固体靶相互作用实验。采用电子角分布仪和LiF热释光探测器探测了超热电子的角分布。测量结果显示：能量较高的电子发射的定向性好于能量较低的电子；能量较低的电子呈溅射状发射；能量较高的电子发射出现两个尖锐的发射峰，其中，激光反射方向的超热电子发射峰则由反射激光、有质动力径向分量、侧向拉曼散射等加速机制共同作用的结果，靠近靶法线方向的超热电子发射峰是由其振吸收机制产生，且理论预言与实验结果相吻合。     

超短超强激光与固体靶相互作用中超热电子的角分布

用3TW超短超强激光器进行了激光与固体靶相互作用实验。采用电子角分布仪和LiF热释光探测器探测了超热电子的角分布。测量结果显示：能量较高的电子发射的定向性好于能量较低的电子;能量较低的电子呈溅射状发射;能量较高的电子发射出现两个尖锐的发射峰,其中,激光反射方向的超热电子发射峰则由反射激光、有质动力径向分量、侧向拉曼散射等加速机制共同作用的结果,靠近靶法线方向的超热电子发射峰是由其振吸收机制产生,且理论预言与实验结果相吻合。     

Nonlinear interaction of CO2 laser radiation with aluminum and polyethylene targets

The characteristics of A1 and (CH₂)_n plasmas produced by a high-power CO₂ laser are investigated over the flux range 10¹⁰-5 × 10¹¹W/cm² where absorption processes other than simple inverse Bremsstrahlung are active. The threshold dependent behavior of the measured plasma parameters indicates the presence of the parmetric decay instability.     

Infrared spectra and isomeric structures of hydroxide ion-water clusters OH- (H2O)1-5: a comparison with H3O (H2O)1-5

Size-selected hydroxide ion water tetramers and pentamers [OH-(H₂O)_4,5], produced by a supersonic expansion, have been investigated using vibrational predissociation spectroscopy in conjunction with ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The observed spectra in the frequency range 2650–3850 cm^?1 show some broad absorption bands attributed to the free and hydrogen bonded OH stretches of OH-(H₂O)_4,5 at an estimated cluster temperature of 170 K. DFT calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-31 + G* level reveal five and eight possible low lying isomeric forms for OH-(H₂O)₄ and OH-(H₂O)₅, respectively. The global minimum isomer of the tetramer is tri-solvated cyclic, which is energetically more stable than the tetra-solvated wheel-shaped form with an OH- ion at its centre. Compact cage-like lowest energy structures are found for the pentamer, in which the water molecules can act either as a single-donor-single-acceptor, as a double-proton-donor, or as a double-donor-single-acceptor in both the firs1183t a1192nd the second solvation shell of the OH- ion core. Interconversion among the isomers appears to be rapid as manifested in the observed spectra dominated by broad and congested absorptions. To understand the nature of spectral broadening and congestion, systemic comparisons of the results are made against those of the corresponding protonated cations, H+(H₂O)_n|1 and the corresponding halide anions, X-(H²O)ⁿ X = F, Cl, Br, and I. It is suggested that the spectral complexities observed for OH-(H₂O)_4,5 are predominantly a result of sampling configurations with a large distribution of O_solvent-O_ion-O_solvent angles and O_solvent … H-O_solvent distances between water molecules in the firs1175t a1181nd/or second hydration shells, together with the existence of more than one isomer in the supersonic expanson and rapid isomeric interconversion among them.     

Generation of hard x rays by femtosecond laser pulse interaction with solid targets in atmosphere

X ray radiation as high as 50 keV, including K(α) of Ba and Mo, have been observed from a solid target during the interaction of low energy ~0.65 mJ, 1 kHz 40 femtosecond laser pulses focused in air at atmospheric pressure. Energetic electrons generating such x rays are possibly produced when the field strength in laser pulse wake exceeds the runaway threshold in air. Two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations that include optical field ionization of air and elastic collisions support this mechanism.