短脉冲强激光打靶产生的质子角分布实验研究

 采用短脉冲强激光辐照固体双层薄靶的方式对质子束的产生及质子束角分布开展了实验研究。在SILEX-Ⅰ短脉冲激光装置上利用脉宽为30 fs的强激光辐照背面镀有CH膜的金膜靶,在距离靶背3.3 cm处采用CR39记录靶背出射的质子角分布。通过分析靶背出射质子的角分布,研究了激光功率密度和对比度对质子加速机制的影响。研究结果表明:占主导地位的质子产生和加速机制对激光预脉冲比较敏感。激光预脉冲较弱时,靶背壳电场加速机制占主导地位;当激光预脉冲较强时,靶前加速机制占主导地位。此外,还对导致质子环形分布的磁场大小进行了估算。     

Enhancement of proton acceleration by hot-electron recirculation in thin foils irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses

MeV-proton production from solid targets irradiated by 100-fs laser pulses at intensities above 1x10(20) W cm(-2) has been studied as a function of initial target thickness. For foils 100 microm thick the proton beam was characterized by an energy spectrum of temperature 1.4 MeV with a cutoff at 6.5 MeV. When the target thickness was reduced to 3 microm the temperature was 3.2+/-0.3 MeV with a cutoff at 24 MeV. These observations are consistent with modeling showing an enhanced density of MeV electrons at the rear surface for the thinnest targets, which predicts an increased acceleration and higher proton energies.     

Proton acceleration with high-intensity ultrahigh-contrast laser pulses

We report on simultaneous measurements of backward- and forward-accelerated protons spectra when an ultrahigh intensity (approximately 5 x 10(18) W/cm(20), ultrahigh contrast (>10(10)) laser pulse interacts with foils of thickness ranging from 0.08 to 105 microm. Under such conditions, free of preplasma originating from ionization of the laser-irradiated surface, we show that the maximum proton energies are proportional to the p component of the laser electric field only and not to the ponderomotive force and that the characteristics of the proton beams originating from both target sides are almost identical. All these points have been corroborated by extensive 1D and 2D particle-in-cell simulations showing a very good agreement with the experimental data.     

Source-size measurements and charge distributions of ions accelerated from thin foils irradiated by high-intensity laser pulses

We report on measurements of source sizes and charge state distributions of ions accelerated from thin foils irradiated by ultrashort (100–300 fs) high-intensity (1-6×10¹⁹ W/cm²) laser pulses. The source sizes of proton and carbon ion beams originating from hydrocarbon contaminants on the surfaces of 5 m thick aluminum foils were investigated using the knife-edge method. For low-energy protons and low-carbon charge states, the source area was found to exceed the focal spot area by a factor of 10⁴. For the determination of charge state distributions, sandwich targets consisting of a 25 m thick tungsten layer, a 2-nm thin beryllium layer, and again a tungsten layer whose thickness was varied were used. These targets were resistively heated to remove the light surface contaminants. Peaked energy spectra of oxygen and argon ions corresponding to the equilibrium distribution after propagation through matter were observed. PACS 41.75.Jv; 52.38.Kd; 52.25.Jm; 52.50.Jm; 52.70.Nc; 41.75.Ak     

Harmonic emission from the rear side of thin overdense foils irradiated with intense ultrashort laser pulses

The harmonic emission from thin solid carbon and aluminum foils, irradiated by 150 fs long frequency-doubled Ti:sapphire laser pulses at lambda=395 nm and peak intensities of a few 10(18) W/cm(2), has been studied. In addition to the harmonics emitted from the front side in the specular direction, we observe harmonics up to the 10th order, including the fundamental from the rear side in the direction of the incident beam, while the foil is still strongly overdense. The experimental observations are well reproduced by particle-in-cell simulations. They reveal that strong coupling between the laser-irradiated side and the rear side occurs via the nonlocal electron current driven by the laser light.     

超短脉冲激光与乙醇微滴相互作用中超热电子的双叶状角分布

测量了聚焦光强为1016W/cm2的超短脉冲激光与乙醇微滴相互作用中产生的能量大于50?keV的超热电子的角分布和电子能谱.观察到的超热电子角分布明显依赖于激光的偏振特性，在与激光偏振平面平行的平面上超热电子相对于激光入射方向呈对称的双叶状分布.超热电子的能谱显示超热电子的最大能量大于750?keV.以上超热电子的角分布可用一个基于共振吸收机制的模型加以解释. 关键词： 超短脉冲激光 超热电子 微滴 共振吸收     

Fast-ion energy-flux enhancement from ultrathin foils irradiated by intense and high-contrast short laser pulses

Recent significant improvements of the contrast ratio of chirped pulse amplified pulses allows us to extend the applicability domain of laser accelerated protons to very thin targets. In this framework, we propose an analytical model particularly suitable to reproducing ion laser acceleration experiments using high intensity and ultrahigh contrast pulses. The model is based on a self-consistent solution of the Poisson equation using an adiabatic approximation for laser generated fast electrons which allows one to find the target thickness maximizing the maximum proton (and ion) energies and population as a function of the laser parameters. Model furnished values show a good agreement with experimental data and 2D particle-in-cell simulation results.     

Ion acceleration at the front and rear surfaces of thin foils with high-intensity 40-fs laser pulses

Ion acceleration from the front and rear sides of a foil target is observed by measurements of the ions’ spectral and spatial emission characteristics when irradiating the targets with ultrashort (40-fs) high-intensity laser pulses. The experimental results show that the origin of accelerated ions, from both the front and rear surfaces of the target, strongly depend on the laser energy absorption mechanism. In particular, laser pulse parameters such as pulse duration and contrast are crucial and determine the entire acceleration scenario. Thus, the experimental outcome can be controlled by selection of the irradiation conditions. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Spectroscopic studies of plasmas produced from thin foils by fast risetime nanosecond laser pulses

Studies of emission spectra in the region 20–250 ? from plasmas produced from thin foils of various materials 6?Z?26 by fast risetime nanosecond laser pulses are reported. Ionization and recombination occuring in these plasmas as deduced from the identification of the spectral lines and their intensities is discussed. Estimates of the plasma temperature are made. The results are compared with the predictions of a computer code based on a thermal wave model for the initial burn through the foil and subsequent hydrodynamic expansion of the plasma.     

Coherent transition radiation from thin targets irradiated by high intensity laser pulses

A theoretical examination on coherent transition radiations (CTR) from the surface of thin solid density target irradiated by high intensity laser is presented. The theory is extended to consider the expansion dynamics of thin foils. The motion of target surfaces leads to the modulation on the temporal structure of micro bunches in the electron beam as well as the spectrum of CTR. The spectral shifts of radiation are owing to the enhancement of electron bunch separation and the relativistic Doppler effects. The radiation power distribution is strongly affected by the temporal coherence of electron beam structure, so thus the electron temperature and velocity dispersions. With these effects accounted for, the spectral properties of coherent transition radiation can provide insights into the expansion of thin foil targets irradiated by intense laser pulse as well as the fast electron transport through it.     

Energy spectra of protons driven by ultra-short laser interaction with thin gold foils

在能量11 mJ、波长744 nm、脉宽120 fs、功率密度6×1016 W/cm2的超短脉冲装置上,开展了超短脉冲激光与2.1 μm和5.0μm金薄膜靶相互作用产生质子束的实验研究.利用Thomson谱仪测量了产生的质子能谱,发现利用2.1 μm金薄膜靶时,质子能谱由于质子源数量不足而在74 keV附近出现单能峰,5.0 μm的金薄膜靶产生的质子计数和能谱均比2.1 μm的金薄膜靶产生的低,主要原因是超热电子穿过薄膜靶时出现的能量损失和几何倾斜降低了电子回流所致.     

超短激光与金薄膜靶相互作用产生的质子能谱

在能量11 mJ、波长744 nm、脉宽120 fs、功率密度61016 W/cm2的超短脉冲装置上,开展了超短脉冲激光与2.1 m和5.0 m金薄膜靶相互作用产生质子束的实验研究。利用Thomson谱仪测量了产生的质子能谱,发现利用2.1 m金薄膜靶时,质子能谱由于质子源数量不足而在74 keV附近出现单能峰,5.0 m的金薄膜靶产生的质子计数和能谱均比2.1 m的金薄膜靶产生的低,主要原因是超热电子穿过薄膜靶时出现的能量损失和几何倾斜降低了电子回流所致。     

Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils

The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclear activation techniques, we find that rear-surface acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency than front-surface acceleration. Our observations are well reproduced by realistic particle-in-cell simulations, and we predict optimal criteria for future applications.     

Experimental study of K-shell X-ray emission generated from nanowire target irradiated by relativistic laser pulses

K-shell X-ray emission from a Cu nanowire target irradiated by an ultraintense femtosecond laser pulse is studied using an elliptically bent quartz crystal and imaging plate. The designed bent crystal spectrometer has better spectral resolution, which is higher than 1 000. The absolute Kα radiation photon yields are obtained from the experimental results and the Monte-Carlo model. The conversion efficiency of the Cu Kα line is estimated to be 0.019% from the interaction of 4 J, 50-fs laser pulse irradiated on a Cu nanowire target. The high yield of K shell X-ray has important applications in X-ray emission source.     

Comparative study of laser acceleration of thin foils at wavelengths 0.44 μm and 1.3μm

The acceleration of thin plastic foils irradiated with frequency-triplet (λ = 0.44 μm) and fundamental (λ = 1.3 μm) iodine laser light was investigated. Rear-side velocities and two-dimensional behaviour of the foils were recorded with a novel 6-frame photographic diagnostic. Core velocities were inferred from calorimetry and X-ray backlighting. Unlike at 1.3 μm, the rear-side and core velocities were found to be quite different at λ = 0.44 μm. An explanation is offered in terms of lack of lateral smoothing at 0.44 μm. The ablation pressure scales as P_abl≈I^0.6_absλ^-0.4.     

Instability-free ion acceleration by two laser pulses

We demonstrate the instability-free ion acceleration regime by introducing laser control with two parallel circularly polarized laser pulses at an intensity of I = 6.8 × 10²¹?W/cm², normally incident on a hydrogen foil. The special structure of the equivalent wave front of those two pulses, which contains Gaussian peaks in both sides and a concavity in the centre (2D), can suppress the transverse instabilities and hole boring effects to constrain a high density ion clump in the centre of the foil, leading to an acceleration over a long distance and gain above 1GeV/u for the ion bunches.     

Observation of a fast electron beam emitted along the surface of a target irradiated by intense femtosecond laser pulses

A novel fast electron beam emitting along the surface of a target irradiated by intense laser pulses is observed. The beam is found to appear only when the plasma density scale length is small. Numerical simulations reveal that the electron beam is formed due to the confinement of the surface quasistatic electromagnetic fields. The results are of interest for potential applications of fast electron beams and deep understanding of the cone-target physics in the fast ignition related experiments.     

连续激光辐照下二氧化钒薄膜热致相变实验研究

 介绍了VO₂薄膜的相变原理,用磁控离子溅射法制备了VO₂薄膜,并进行了X射线衍射和不同温度下的光谱透过率测量。在1.319 μm 连续波激光辐照下,实时测量了VO₂薄膜的温度变化,以及由于温度变化引起相变后对激光透过率的变化。结果表明,入射到薄膜表面的平均功率为8.9 W、光斑直径2 mm时,激光出光480 ms后,VO₂的温度从室温上升到约100 ℃,薄膜发生了相变,其对1.319 μm激光的透过率从相变前的48％降为相变后的28％。     

Numerical study of picosecond soft x-ray enhancement from porous targets irradiated by double laser pulses

Simulations show enhanced free-free and free-bound x-ray emission from laser-produced plasmas for both porous and solid targets irradiated by picosecond laser pulses under different prepulse conditions. The porous targets are modeled as a thick solid substrate over-coated with a thin porous layer. Using porous targets and prepulses shows that x-ray yields can be enhanced significantly over single pulses on solid density targets. The optimum conditions of prepulse and porous layer density are investigated by simulations with a fluid and atomic physics code.