Electron Acceleration by Beating of Two Intense Cross-Focused Hollow Gaussian Laser Beams in Plasma

This paper presents propagation of two cross-focused intense hollow Gaussian laser beams(HGBs) in collisionless plasma and its effect on the generation of electron plasma wave(EPW) and electron acceleration process,when relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities are simultaneously operative. Nonlinear differential equations have been set up for beamwidth of laser beams, power of generated EPW, and energy gain by electrons using WKB and paraxial approximations. Numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the effect of typical laser-plasma parameters on the focusing of laser beams in plasmas and further its effect on power of excited EPW and acceleration of electrons. It is observed that focusing of two laser beams in plasma increases for higher order of hollow Gaussian beams,which significantly enhanced the power of generated EPW and energy gain. The amplitude of EPW and energy gain by electrons is found to enhance with an increase in the intensity of laser beams and plasma density. This study will be useful to plasma beat wave accelerator and in other applications requiring multiple laser beams.     

Second Harmonic Generation of Self‐Focused Cosh‐Gaussian Laser Beam in Thermal Quantum Plasma by Excitation of an Electron Plasma Wave

This paper presents a scheme for second harmonic generation (SHG) of an intense Cosh‐Gaussian (ChG) laser beam in thermal quantum plasmas. Moment theory approach in W.K.B approximation has been adopted in deriving the differential equation governing the propagation characteristics of the laser beam with distance of propagation. The effect of relativistic increase in electron mass on propagation dynamics of laser beam has been incorporated. Due to relativistic nonlinearity in the dielectric properties of the plasma, the laser beam gets self‐focused and produces density gradients in the transverse direction. The generated density gradients excite electron plasma wave (EPW) at pump frequency that interacts with the incident laser beam to produce its second harmonics. Numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the effects of laser parameters on selffocusing of the laser beam and hence on the conversion efficiency of its second harmonics. Simulation results predict that within a specific range of decentered parameter the ChG laser beams show smaller divergence as they propagate and, thus, lead to enhanced conversion efficiency of second harmonics. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Second Harmonic Generation of Self Focused Cosh‐Gaussian Laser Beam in Collisionless Plasma

This paper presents an investigation of self‐focusing of a Cosh‐Gaussian (ChG) laser beam and its effect on second harmonic generation in collisionless plasma. In the presence of ChG laser beam the carriers get redistributed from high field region to low field region on account of ponderomotive force as a result of which a transverse density gradient is produced in the plasma which in turn generates an electron‐plasma wave at pump frequency. Generated plasma wave interacts with the incident laser beam and hence generates its second harmonics. Moment theory has been used to derive differential equation governing the evolution of spot size of ChG laser beam propagating through collisionless plasma. The differential equation so obtained has been solved numerically. The effect of decentered parameter, intensity of ChG laser beam and density of plasma on self‐focusing of the laser beam and second harmonic yield has been investigated. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A crossed focused vortex beam with application to cold molecules

We report the generation of a crossed, focused, optical vortex beam by using a pair of hybrid holograms, which combine the vortex phase and lens phase onto a spatial light modulator. We study the intensity distributions of the vortex beam in free propagation space, and the relationship of its dark spot size with the incident Gaussian beam's waist, the lens's focal length, and its orbital angular momentum. Our results show that the crossed, focused, vortex beam's dark spot size can be as small as 16.3μm and adjustable by the quantum number of the orbital angular momentum, and can be used to increase the density of trapped molecules. Furthermore, we calculate the optical potential of the blue-detuned, crossed vortex beam for MgF molecules. It is applicable to cool and trap neutral molecules by intensity-gradient-induced Sisyphus cooling, as the intensity gradient of such vortex beam is extremely high near the focal point.     

Observation of a hot high-current electron beam from a self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator

A highly relativistic electron beam produced by a 50 TW laser-plasma accelerator has been characterized by photonuclear techniques. The beam has large divergence that increases with plasma density. The electron yield also increases with plasma density and reaches up to 4x10(11) electrons ( >10 MeV), with beam current approaching the Alfvén limit. Effective electron temperatures exceeding 8 MeV are found, leading to an order of magnitude higher photonuclear activation yield than in solid target experiments with the same laser system.     

Second harmonic generation of a self-focused Hermite-Gaussian laser in plasma

Second harmonic generation (SHG) using intense Hermite-Gaussian laser beam (HGLB) propagating through the plasma for mode-indices m = 0 and m = 1 is reported in the present work. Ponderomotive force induced density perturbation beats with the oscillatory velocity of electrons at incident laser frequency, generate the second harmonic nonlinear current that give rise to SHG. Using paraxial approximations, we have derived the coupled equations for the beam width parameter of HGLB and second harmonic's normalized amplitude. Resonance condition is obtained by considering wiggler magnetic field which providing an extra momentum to the second harmonic photon and this result a significant increase in the amplitude of SHG. Our analysis shows the prominent rise in normalized amplitude of second harmonic on increasing the value of the intensity of fundamental laser pulse, normalized wiggler magnetic field and normalized density of plasma. It is notified that the gain of SHG is more prominent for m = 1. Dependency of laser and plasma parameters on SHG is also reported in the current work.     

Effects of the evolution of two cross‐focused Gaussian laser beams on the terahertz generation in thermal collisional plasma

Generation of the terahertz (THz) radiation based on the beating of two cross‐focused high intensity Gaussian laser beams in a warm rippled density plasma is numerically investigated, taking into account the ponderomotive force, Ohmic heating, and collisional nonlinearities. The beat ponderomotive force as a result of cross‐focusing of beams induces a vertical velocity component that by coupling with the rippled density gives rise to a nonlinear current deriving THz radiation. The effect of laser beams spot size evolution and plasma parameters on the THz generation is studied. It was found that there exist special electron temperature and laser intensity ranges with “turning points” where the generation of THz radiation reaches its maximum value and outside of these ranges, it disappears. The results also indicated that increasing the background electron density as well as taking into account the collision frequency help THz generation. Moreover, the maximum yield of THz radiation occurs when the beat wave frequency approaches the plasma frequency.     

Generation of Plasma Wave at Pump-Wave Frequency and Second Harmonic Generation at Ultrarelativistic Laser Power

In this paper, the influence of ponderomotive and relativistic nonlinearities on the filamentation of an ultraintense laser pulse is investigated in three dimensions within the paraxial ray approximations. Generation of electron plasma wave (EPW) structure at pump-wave frequency and the second harmonic generation in these filamentary structures are reported. The generation of the plasma wave is due to intensity gradient (in the transverse direction of the laser beam in filamentary structure) and density gradient (due to ponderomotive-force effect). For typical laser–plasma parameters: The $hbox{laser intensity} = 2.5timesbreak 10^{20} hbox{W/cm}^{2}$; the $hbox{particles density} = 1.9 times 10^{19} hbox{cm}^{-3}$; and it is found that the maximum intensity of EPW is in the range of $2.0 times 10^{13} hbox{W}/hbox{cm}^{2}$. Interaction of the plasma wave with the incident laser beam leads to second harmonic generation, and the yield comes out to be $approx! 2.1 times 10^{-7}$.      

Transverse envelope dynamics of a 28.5-GeV electron beam in a long plasma

The transverse dynamics of a 28.5-GeV electron beam propagating in a 1.4 m long, (0-2)x10(14) cm(-3) plasma are studied experimentally in the underdense or blowout regime. The transverse component of the wake field excited by the short electron bunch focuses the bunch, which experiences multiple betatron oscillations as the plasma density is increased. The spot-size variations are observed using optical transition radiation and Cherenkov radiation. In this regime, the behavior of the spot size as a function of the plasma density is well described by a simple beam-envelope model. Dynamic changes of the beam envelope are observed by time resolving the Cherenkov light.     

Intense laser beam propagating in a plasma channel with flat-bottom leaky density profile

The propagation characteristics of an intense laser beam in a preformed plasma channel with the flat-bottom leaky density profile are investigated in detail. The evolution equation of the laser spot size is derived by employing variational technique. Seven propagation modes of the laser spot size are identified and some numerical results are presented. By comparison, we find that the results in this Letter may be more realistic since the flat-bottom leaky plasma channel comes closer to the practical plasma channel.     

Electron trajectory evaluation in laser-plasma interaction for effective output beam

Using the ellipsoidal cavity model, the quasi-monoenergetic electron output beam in laser-plasma interaction is described. By the cavity regime the quality of electron beam is improved in comparison with those generated from other methods such as periodic plasma wave field, spheroidal cavity regime and plasma channel guided acceleration. Trajectory of electron motion is described as hyperbolic, parabolic or elliptic paths. We find that the self-generated electron bunch has a smaller energy width and more effective gain in energy spectrum. Initial condition for the ellipsoidal cavity is determined by laser-plasma parameters. The electron trajectory is influenced by its position, energy and cavity electrostatic potential.     

Characterization of X‐ray gas attenuator plasmas by optical emission and tunable laser absorption spectroscopies

X‐ray gas attenuators are used in high‐energy synchrotron beamlines as high‐pass filters to reduce the incident power on downstream optical elements. The absorption of the X‐ray beam ionizes and heats up the gas, creating plasma around the beam path and hence temperature and density gradients between the center and the walls of the attenuator vessel. The objective of this work is to demonstrate experimentally the generation of plasma by the X‐ray beam and to investigate its spatial distribution by measuring some of its parameters, simultaneously with the X‐ray power absorption. The gases used in this study were argon and krypton between 13 and 530 mbar. The distribution of the 2p excited states of both gases was measured using optical emission spectroscopy, and the density of argon metastable atoms in the 1s₅ state was deduced using tunable laser absorption spectroscopy. The amount of power absorbed was measured using calorimetry and X‐ray transmission. The results showed a plasma confined around the X‐ray beam path, its size determined mainly by the spatial dimensions of the X‐ray beam and not by the absorbed power or the gas pressure. In addition, the X‐ray absorption showed a hot central region at a temperature varying between 400 and 1100 K, depending on the incident beam power and on the gas used. The results show that the plasma generated by the X‐ray beam plays an essential role in the X‐ray absorption. Therefore, plasma processes must be taken into account in the design and modeling of gas attenuators.     

强流非聚焦型相对论性电子束的产生及其特性的研究

本文论述产生强流非聚焦型相对论性电子束的物理机制及其特性,结合国际上和中国原子能科学研究院的工作来说明产生这种束流的几个关键的技术问题,如阴极等离子体的形成和运动,电子束流自磁场对束流箍缩及束流密度均匀性的影响、阳极等离子体的形成及其影响等。至今为止国际上尚未形成一种比较严格的理论模型来解析该二极管中的电子束行为,本文试图将国际上有关这方面的研究做个综述并对一些分析做些改进,如束流自磁场对箍缩及束流密度均匀性的影响。     

Relativistic Self-Focusing of Hermite-cosine-Gaussian Laser Beam in Collisionless Plasma with Exponential Density Transition

This work reveals an exploration of self-focusing of Hermite-cosine-Gaussian laser beam in a collisionless plasma under relativistic nonlinearity. Self-focusing along with self-trapping of Hermite-cosine-Gaussian laser beam are analyzed for different values of laser intensity, plasma density, and decentered parameters. Mathematical analysis displays that these parameters play a major role in achieving the stronger and earlier self-focusing. Further, a comparative study between self-focusing of Hermite-cosine-Gaussian laser beam with and without exponential density ramp profile is introduced. Plasma density transition with exponential profile is found to be more effective in order to have stronger self-focusing. The present analysis may lead to very useful applications in the field of efficient harmonic generation, laser driven fusion etc.     

相对论行波管慢波结构几何参数研究

 推导了无引导磁场下具有离子通道的波纹波导中的色散方程,并通过数值计算分析了该慢波结构的几何参数如波纹周期、波纹深度以及波导平均半径对相对论行波管的带宽及增益的影响,为相对论行波管的设计提供了一定的依据。     

高能多脉冲辐射照相的复合靶物理分析

 介绍了电子束与钽靶相互作用的能量沉积解析理论和（钽-碳）复合靶的设计。单靶的某个区域内形成的高温等离子体沿轴的2个方向(±z)溅射而使单靶穿孔,大焦斑束形成较小的孔,小焦斑下靶孔较大而相对光滑。复合靶或修正复合靶可以经受2~3个束脉冲的连续照射。蒙卡模拟计算表明,复合靶或修正复合靶的焦斑尺寸与单靶相同,可用于多脉冲闪光照相。     

超强超短脉冲激光诱发大尺度氘团簇聚变

 利用低温脉冲气阀获得了平均含有3×103氘原子的氘团簇。在飞秒激光装置上实现了氘团簇聚变,每发中子产额为1×10³。中子产额对激光功率密度敏感,保持激光能量不变,随着激光焦斑的变大,DD聚变中子产额逐渐增加,最大值出现在激光焦斑为470 mm时;继续增大激光焦斑,没有观察到中子信号。实验结果还表明激光氘团簇聚变发生的区域主要是激光辐照的等离子体热区,此区域内邻近氘团簇库仑爆炸发射的高能氘离子碰撞引发聚变反应。     

Electron beam modeling and analyses of the electric field distribution and space charge effect

In electron beam technology, one of the critical focuses of research and development efforts is on improving the measurement of electron beam parameters. The parameters are closely related to the generation, emission, operation environment, and role of the electron beam and the corresponding medium. In this study, a field calculation method is proposed, and the electric field intensity distribution on the electron beam's cross-section is analyzed. The characteristics of beam diffusion caused by the space charge effect are investigated in simulation, and the obtained data are compared with the experiment. The simulation demonstrated that the cross-sectional electric field distribution is primarily affected by the electron beam current, current density distribution, and electron beam propagation speed.     

强激光束在等离子体通道中传输的变分法研究

关键词：     

环形孔径高斯光束的远场特性

 讨论了环形孔径高斯光束的远场光斑能量分布,并给出了拟合表达式。首先推导了光束没有抖动时远场光斑的光能分布表达式,然后研究了各种不同中心遮拦和不同光束截断比, 在有以及没有激光束抖动的情况下,对高斯光束的远场环围能量的分布变化的影响。