Intense laser-driven energetic proton beams from solid density targets

The effects of target density on proton acceleration driven by an intense sub-ps laser pulse are investigated using two-dimensional hybrid particle-in-cell simulations. Results show that at higher density the target-normal-sheath acceleration (TNSA) is more effective than shock acceleration for protons from a plastic target. Furthermore a lower-density target is favorable to higher energy of the TNSA protons. Moreover, the longitudinal electric fields at the target surfaces may reveal typical inhomogeneous structures for a long acceleration time. The conversion efficiency of laser energy into particle (electron, proton, and C(+) ion) energy is found to increase with decreasing target density.     

Acoustic effect of pulsed high-energy proton beams

Experimental data on the generation of acoustic radiation in solid targets by pulsed high-energy proton beams are outlined. The features of ultrasound generation in solids by beams of heavy charged particles are analyzed, and the possibility of using the acoustic effect of heavy charged particles to investigate the interaction between radiation and condensed media and to determine particle energies is shown.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 95–99, August, 1991.     

Intense Bessel-like beams arising from pyramid-shaped microtips

We show both numerically and experimentally that intense, narrow, and low-divergence beams of light are produced at the apex of dielectric pyramid-shaped microtips. These beams exhibit a Bessel transverse profile but are narrower than the usual Bessel beam, allowing for a significant enhancement of the light intensity inside the beam. They are generated by axicon-like structures with submicrometric height imprinted in glass by combining optical lithography and chemical etching. The resulting beams are experimentally imaged using fluorescence microscopy, in remarkable agreement with numerical computations.     

The formation of glassy alloys by irradiation with intense proton beams

Using a 50 ns pulse of an intense proton beam 1.5 J cm^–2 of energy was deposited in a 1 m thick surface layer of glass forming alloys. In Fe₈₀B₂₀, the formation of a glassy surface layer of 1.9 m thickness was observed by x-ray diffraction. Etching experiments performed with alloys containing phosphorus yielded similar results. Applying a mask technique amorphous and crystalline zones were structured with a resolution of better than 2 m.On leave from Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani, Rajasthan, India     

Interpreting data from polarized proton beams

The reactions pp → pp and pp → Δ⁺⁺n with polarized beam and/or polarized target are currently under investigation at the Argonne ZGS. We discuss how to interpret various measured quantities in terms of amplitudes whose behavior is familiar (as functions of s, t). For pp total cross sections and elastic scattering, Argonne measurements will yield Im ?₂ (s,t = 0) and the rather complicated combination $\text{2|?}{}_5\text{|}{}^2\text{+}\text{Re}\text{(?}{}_1\text{?}{}_2{}^1\text{? ?}{}_3\text{?}{}_4{}^1\text{)}$, where ?_i (i = 1, … 5) are conventional s-channel helicity amplitudes. The forward direction (t = 0) is of special interest. We find that for both pp → pp and pp → Δ⁺⁺n, polarized beam — polarized target experiments plus the rather general (testable) assumption that amplitudes with the same s-channel helicity flip quantum numbers are proportional, are sufficient to fully determine all non-vanishing amplitudes at t = 0. Numerical estimates of some observables, based on calculations in a specific model, are also given.     

Intense low energy positron beams

Intense positron beams are under development or being considered at several laboratories. Already today a few accelerator based high intensity, low brightness e⁺ beams exist producing of the order of 10⁸–10⁹ e⁺/s. Several laboratories are aiming at high intensity, high brightness e⁺ beams with intensities greater than 10⁹ e⁺/s and current densities of the order of 10¹³–10¹⁴ e⁺ s^–1 cm^–2. Intense e⁺ beams can be realized in two ways (or in a combination thereof) either through a development of more efficient ⁺ moderators or by increasing the available activity of ⁺ particles. In this review we shall mainly concentrate on the latter approach. In atomic physics the main trust for these developments is to be able to measure differential and high energy cross-sections in e⁺ collisions with atoms and molecules. Within solid state physics high intensity, high brightness e⁺ beams are in demand in areas such as the re-emission e⁺ microscope, two-dimensional angular correlation of annihilation radiation, low energy e⁺ diffraction and other fields. Intense e⁺ beams are also important for the development of positronium beams, as well as exotic experiments such as Bose condensation and Ps liquid studies.     

Intense ion beams for inertial fusion

The basic physics of heavy-ion driven inertial fusion is timely reviewed. Emphasis is laid on the effects of strong space charge.     

高能质子照相的成像方程

与X射线闪光照相相比,GeV级质子照相因质子的穿透能力更强而更能满足流体动力学最佳光程、更小不确定度的要求。质子照相用于提取阴影客体信息的过程比X射线闪光照相复杂。为了便于分析质子照相过程及其特性,以质子照相的输运过程为基础,逐步考虑了质子与物质相互作用的各种过程——核反应、多次库仑散射、准弹性散射和弹性散射,并获得含各种过程的质子照相理论计算表达式。在含准直的系统中,理论计算公式中包含了多次弹性散射和准弹性散射项。通过与QMCPrad计算结果的对比得知弹性散射高斯近似下的理论计算结果与蒙特卡罗方法(MC)计算结果一致,与更准确的"黑体"模型的相对误差为3%~5%。这意味着在某种程序上,当研究质子照相规律或设计系统时,高能质子照相的理论计算公式能够替代MC模拟。     

On the possibility of diagnostics of high-energy proton beams using parametric X-ray radiation excited in single crystals

The possibility of diagnosing high-energy proton beams with the help of parametric X-ray radiation generated in single crystals is considered.     

Dense monoenergetic proton beams from chirped laser-plasma interaction

Interaction of a frequency-chirped laser pulse with single protons and a hydrogen gas target is studied analytically and by means of particle-in-cell simulations, respectively. The feasibility of generating ultraintense (10(7) particles per bunch) and phase-space collimated beams of protons (energy spread of about 1%) is demonstrated. Phase synchronization of the protons and the laser field, guaranteed by the appropriate chirping of the laser pulse, allows the particles to gain sufficient kinetic energy (around 250 MeV) required for such applications as hadron cancer therapy, from state-of-the-art laser systems of intensities of the order of 10(21) W/cm(2).     

Intense ion beams for inertial confinement fusion

Intense beams of light and heavy ions are being studied as inertial confinement fusion (ICF) drivers for high yield and energy. Heavy and light ions have common interests in beam transport, targets, and alternative accelerators. Self-pinched transport is being jointly studied. This article reviews the development of intense ion beams for ICF. Light-ion drivers are highlighted because they are compact, modular, efficient and low cost. Issues facing light ions are: (1) decreasing beam divergence; (2) increasing beam brightness; and (3) demonstrating self-pinched transport. Applied-B ion diodes are favored because of efficiency, beam brightness, perceived scalability, achievable focal intensity, and multistage capability. A light-ion concept addressing these issues uses: (1) an injector divergence of ⩽24 mrad at 9 MeV; (2) two-stage acceleration to reduce divergence to ⩽12 mrad at 35 MeV; and (3) self-pinched transport accepting divergences up to 12 mrad. Substantial progress in ion-driven target physics and repetitive ion diode technology is also presented. Z-pinch drivers are being pursued as the shortest pulsed power path to target physics experiments and high-yield fusion. However, light ions remain the pulsed power ICF driver of choice for high-yield fusion energy applications that require driver standoff and repetitive operation     

Structure of 6Li from high-energy proton scattering

The elastic and inelastic (2.189 MeV level) scattering of 1 GeV protons from ⁶Li is predicted using Glauber multiple-scattering theory in conjunction with an α-d cluster model capable of fitting quantitatively a large number of measured form factors, in particular the most recent high-momentum-transfer electron scattering data. The predictions, especially in the inelastic channel, are quite sensitive to the parameters of the model. A valuable opportunity is thus provided via experiments well within the capabilities of LAMPF for comparison of structure information obtained from proton scattering with that from other sources in the case of a “test” nucleus whose properties are relatively well determined and unambiguous. Moreover, proton scattering goes beyond electron scattering in possibly providing information about the effective real part of the proton-deuteron cluster amplitude, and thus indirectly about D-state effects in the deuteron cluster.     

Generation of high-energy secondary pulsed molecular beams

A method is suggested for generating high-intensity secondary pulsed molecular beams in which the kinetic energy of molecules can be controlled by an intense laser IR radiation through the vibrational excitation of molecules in the source. High-intensity [≥10²⁰ molecule/(sr s)] SF₆ molecular beams with a kinetic energy of ?1.0 eV without carrier gas and of ?1.9 and ?2.4 eV with carrier He (SF₆/He=1/10) and H₂ (SF₆/H₂=1/10) gases, respectively, were obtained.     

Ultra high-energy cosmic ray proton interactions

The recent Auger results suggest that the coincidences of arrival directions with ‘nearby’ AGN, and the HiRes discovery of the GZK cut-off, indicate protons to be at least the strongly dominant component of primary extra galactic cosmic ray flux. The measured longitudinal extensive air shower propagation characteristics, however, indicate at least a mixed composition, if the conventional interaction model is correct. For the present work we assume that the particles are indeed protons and examine the consequences for the high-energy interaction physics. We have found that such a supposition requires strong violation of the so-called Feynman scaling.     

Intense mass-separated beams of halogens and beta-delayed neutron emission from heavy bromine isotopes

Improved production yields of short-lived halogens were obtained from a ThO₂ target, irradiated with 600 MeV protons, in combination with a negative surface ionization source. Mass-separated samples were studied by decay spectroscopy. Production yields of radioactive isotopes of chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine are presented. Half-lives and relative neutron emission probabilities were measured for the heavy bromine isotopes^89?92Br. Normalizing to earlier publishedP _n values for⁸⁹Br, the results are:⁸⁹Br (4.30±0.14s,P _n =13.6±0.8%),⁹⁰Br (1.92±0.06s,P _n =24.8±1.5%),⁹¹Br (0.53 ±0.03 s,P _n =30.1 ±2.1%), and⁹²Br (0.31 ±0.02 s,P _n =34.6±2.5%). Energy spectra ofβ-delayed neutrons were measured.     

Wide-angle high-energy proton spectra by 800 MeV/A C,Ne, and Ar beams

Inclusive proton spectra, as well as two-particle correlations, resulting from collisions between energetic nuclei have been measured. Protons associated with large momentum transfers show exponential-type energy distributions having a decay constant about (70–90 MeV)^?1. For light-mass targets a strong two-particle correlation has been observed, which is kinematically consistent with quasi-elastic pp scatterings.     

Intense radioactive-ion beams produced with the ISOL method

For fifty years the isotope separation on-line (ISOL) technique has been used for the production of radioactive-ion beams (RIBs). Thick-target ISOL facilities can provide very intense RIBs for a wide range of applications. The important design parameters for an ISOL facility are efficiency, rapidity and selectivity of all steps of the separation process. To achieve the anticipated beam intensities with the next-generation RIB facilities, the production rate in the ISOL target has to be increased by orders of magnitude. This is only possible by adapting the projectile beam for optimum production cross-sections and simultaneously minimizing the target heating due to the electronic stopping power of charged-particle projectiles. ISOL beams of 75 different elements have been produced up to now and further beam development is under way to produce a still greater variety of isotopes and to improve existing beams in intensity and purity. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: Ulli.Koster@cern.ch     

Dynamic control of laser-produced proton beams

The emission characteristics of intense laser driven protons are controlled using ultrastrong (of the order of 10(9) V/m) electrostatic fields varying on a few ps time scale. The field structures are achieved by exploiting the high potential of the target (reaching multi-MV during the laser interaction). Suitably shaped targets result in a reduction in the proton beam divergence, and hence an increase in proton flux while preserving the high beam quality. The peak focusing power and its temporal variation are shown to depend on the target characteristics, allowing for the collimation of the inherently highly divergent beam and the design of achromatic electrostatic lenses.     

Distribution uniformity of laser-accelerated proton beams

Compared with conventional accelerators,laser plasma accelerators can generate high energy ions at a greatly reduced scale,due to their TV/m acceleration gradient.A compact laser plasma accelerator(CLAPA) has been built at the Institute of Heavy Ion Physics at Peking University.It will be used for applied research like biological irradiation,astrophysics simulations,etc.A beamline system with multiple quadrupoles and an analyzing magnet for laser-accelerated ions is proposed here.Since laser-accelerated ion beams have broad energy spectra and large angular divergence,the parameters(beam waist position in the Y direction,beam line layout,drift distance,magnet angles etc.) of the beamline system are carefully designed and optimised to obtain a radially symmetric proton distribution at the irradiation platform.Requirements of energy selection and differences in focusing or defocusing in application systems greatly influence the evolution of proton distributions.With optimal parameters,radially symmetric proton distributions can be achieved and protons with different energy spread within ±5% have similar transverse areas at the experiment target.