Search

Your search keyword '"Toncian T"' showing total 326 results
Start Over Author "Toncian T"
326 results on '"Toncian T"'

1. Femtosecond temperature measurements of laser-shocked copper deduced from the intensity of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering

Author

Wark, J. S., Peake, D. J., Stevens, T., Heighway, P. G., Ping, Y., Sterne, P., Albertazzi, B., Ali, S. J., Antonelli, L., Armstrong, M. R., Baehtz, C., Ball, O. B., Banerjee, S., Belonoshko, A. B., Bolme, C. A., Bouffetier, V., Briggs, R., Buakor, K., Butcher, T., Cafiso, S. Di Dio, Cerantola, V., Chantel, J., Di Cicco, A., Coleman, A. L., Collier, J., Collins, G., Comley, A. J., Coppari, F., Cowan, T. E., Cristoforetti, G., Cynn, H., Descamps, A., Dorchies, F., Duff, M. J., Dwivedi, A., Edwards, C., Eggert, J. H., Errandonea, D., Fiquet, G., Galtier, E., Garcia, A. Laso, Ginestet, H., Gizzi, L., Gleason, A., Goede, S., Gonzalez, J. M., Gorman, M. G., Harmand, M., Hartley, N., Hernandez-Gomez, C., Higginbotham, A., Höppner, H., Humphries, O. S., Husband, R. J., Hutchinson, T. M., Hwang, H., Keen, D. A., Kim, J., Koester, P., Konopkova, Z., Kraus, D., Krygier, A., Labate, L., Lazicki, A. E., Lee, Y., Liermann, H-P., Mason, P., Masruri, M., Massani, B., McBride, E. E., McGuire, C., McHardy, J. D., McGonegle, D., McWilliams, R. S., Merkel, S., Morard, G., Nagler, B., Nakatsutsumi, M., Nguyen-Cong, K., Norton, A-M., Oleynik, I. I., Otzen, C., Ozaki, N., Pandolfi, S., Pelka, A., Pereira, K. A., Phillips, J. P., Prescher, C., Preston, T., Randolph, L., Ranjan, D., Ravasio, A., Redmer, R., Rips, J., Santamaria-Perez, D., Savage, D. J., Schoelmerich, M., Schwinkendorf, J-P., Singh, S., Smith, J., Smith, R. F., Sollier, A., Spear, J., Spindloe, C., Stevenson, M., Strohm, C., Suer, T-A., Tang, M., Toncian, M., Toncian, T., Tracy, S. J., Trapananti, A., Tschentscher, T., Tyldesley, M., Vennari, C. E., Vinci, T., Vogel, S. C., Volz, T. J., Vorberger, J., Willman, J. T., Wollenweber, L., Zastrau, U., Brambrink, E., Appel, K., and McMahon, M. I.

Subjects
Condensed Matter - Materials Science, Physics - Applied Physics
Abstract

We present 50-fs, single-shot measurements of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) from copper foils that have been shocked via nanosecond laser-ablation up to pressures above 135~GPa. We hence deduce the x-ray Debye-Waller (DW) factor, providing a temperature measurement. The targets were laser-shocked with the DiPOLE 100-X laser at the High Energy Density (HED) endstation of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL). Single x-ray pulses, with a photon energy of 18 keV, were scattered from the samples and recorded on Varex detectors. Despite the targets being highly textured (as evinced by large variations in the elastic scattering), and with such texture changing upon compression, the absolute intensity of the azimuthally averaged inelastic TDS between the Bragg peaks is largely insensitive to these changes, and, allowing for both Compton scattering and the low-level scattering from a sacrificial ablator layer, provides a reliable measurement of $T/\Theta_D^2$, where $\Theta_D$ is the Debye temperature. We compare our results with the predictions of the SESAME 3336 and LEOS 290 equations of state for copper, and find good agreement within experimental errors. We thus demonstrate that single-shot temperature measurements of dynamically compressed materials can be made via thermal diffuse scattering of XFEL radation., Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures in main article; 10 pages, 5 figures in supplementary material

Published
2025

2. Letter of Intent: Towards a Vacuum Birefringence Experiment at the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields

Author

Ahmadiniaz, N., Bähtz, C., Benediktovitch, A., Bömer, C., Bocklage, L., Cowan, T. E., Edwards, J., Evans, S., Viñas, S. Franchino, Gies, H., Göde, S., Görs, J., Grenzer, J., Acosta, U. Hernandez, Heinzl, T., Hilz, P., Hippler, W., Huang, L. G., Humphries, O., Karbstein, F., Khademi, P., King, B., Kluge, T., Kohlfürst, C., Krebs, D., Laso-García, A., Lötzsch, R., Macleod, A. J., Marx-Glowna, B., Mosman, E. A., Nakatsutsumi, M., Paulus, G. G., Rahul, S. V., Randolph, L., Röhlsberger, R., Rohringer, N., Sävert, A., Sadashivaiah, S., Sauerbrey, R., Schlenvoigt, H. -P., Schmidt, S. M., Schramm, U., Schützhold, R., Schwinkendorf, J. -P., Seipt, D., Šmíd, M., Stöhlker, T., Toncian, T., Valialshchikov, M., Wipf, A., Zastrau, U., and Zepf, M.

Subjects
Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors, High Energy Physics - Experiment, High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, Physics - Optics
Abstract

Quantum field theory predicts a nonlinear response of the vacuum to strong electromagnetic fields of macroscopic extent. This fundamental tenet has remained experimentally challenging and is yet to be tested in the laboratory. A particularly distinct signature of the resulting optical activity of the quantum vacuum is vacuum birefringence. This offers an excellent opportunity for a precision test of nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in an uncharted parameter regime. Recently, the operation of the high-intensity laser ReLaX provided by the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF) has been inaugurated at the High Energy Density (HED) scientific instrument of the European XFEL. We make the case that this worldwide unique combination of an x-ray free-electron laser and an ultra-intense near-infrared laser together with recent advances in high-precision x-ray polarimetry, refinements of prospective discovery scenarios, and progress in their accurate theoretical modelling have set the stage for performing an actual discovery experiment of quantum vacuum nonlinearity., Comment: 34 pages, 21 figures

Published
2024

3. Detection schemes for quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence

Author

Ahmadiniaz, N., Cowan, T. E., Grenzer, J., Franchino-Viñas, S., Garcia, A. Laso, Šmíd, M., Toncian, T., Trejo, M. A., and Schützhold, R.

Subjects
Physics - Optics, High Energy Physics - Phenomenology, High Energy Physics - Theory
Abstract

Motivated by recent experimental initiatives, such as at the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF) at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), we calculate the birefringent scattering of x-rays at the combined field of two optical (or near-optical) lasers and compare various scenarios. In order to facilitate an experimental detection of quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence, special emphasis is placed on scenarios where the difference between the initial and final x-ray photons is maximized. Apart from their polarization, these signal and background photons may differ in propagation direction (corresponding to scattering angles in the mrad regime) and possibly energy., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure

Published
2022

4. Spatial profile of accelerated electrons from ponderomotive scattering in hydrogen cluster targets

Author

Aurand, B., Reichwein, L., Schwind, K. M., Aktan, E., Cerchez, M., Kaymak, V., Lessmann, L., Prasad, R., Thomas, J., Toncian, T., Khoukaz, A., Pukhov, A., and Willi, O.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

We study the laser-driven acceleration of electrons from overdense hydrogen clusters to energies of up to 13 MeV in laser forward direction and several hundreds of keV in an outer ring-like structure. The use of cryogenic hydrogen allows for high repetition-rate operation and examination of the influence of source parameters like temperature and gas flow. The outer ring-like structure of accelerated electrons, originating from the interaction, that is robust against the change of laser and target parameters can be observed for low electron densities of ca. 3$\times$10$^{16}$ cm$^{-3}$. For higher electron densities, an additional central spot of electrons in the laser forward direction can be observed. Utilizing 3D-PIC simulations, it is revealed that both electron populations mainly stem from ponderomotive scattering.

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

5. Relativistically transparent magnetic filaments: scaling laws, initial results and prospects for strong-field QED studies

Author

Rinderknecht, H. G., Wang, T., Garcia, A. Laso, Bruhaug, G., Wei, M. S., Quevedo, H. J., Ditmire, T., Williams, J., Haid, A., Doria, D., Spohr, K., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

Relativistic transparency enables volumetric laser interaction with overdense plasmas and direct laser acceleration of electrons to relativistic velocities. The dense electron current generates a magnetic filament with field strength of the order of the laser amplitude ($>$10$^5$ T). The magnetic filament traps the electrons radially, enabling efficient acceleration and conversion of laser energy into MeV photons by electron oscillations in the filament. The use of microstructured targets stabilizes the hosing instabilities associated with relativistically transparent interactions, resulting in robust and repeatable production of this phenomenon. Analytical scaling laws are derived to describe the radiated photon spectrum and energy from the magnetic filament phenomenon in terms of the laser intensity, focal radius, pulse duration, and the plasma density. These scaling laws are compared to 3-D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, demonstrating agreement over two regimes of focal radius. Preliminary experiments to study this phenomenon at moderate intensity ($a_0 \sim 30$) were performed on the Texas Petawatt Laser. Experimental signatures of the magnetic filament phenomenon are observed in the electron and photon spectra recorded in a subset of these experiments that is consistent with the experimental design, analytical scaling and 3-D PIC simulations. Implications for future experimental campaigns are discussed., Comment: Submitted to New Journal of Physics

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

6. Dominance of $\gamma$-$\gamma$ electron-positron pair creation in a plasma driven by high-intensity lasers

Author

He, Y., Blackburn, T. G., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A. V.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics, High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
Abstract

Creation of electrons and positrons from light alone is a basic prediction of quantum electrodynamics, but yet to be observed. Here we show that it is possible to create ${>}10^8$ positrons by dual laser irradiation of a structured plasma target, at intensities of $2 \times 10^{22} \mathrm{W}\mathrm{cm}^{-2}$. In contrast to previous work, the pair creation is primarily driven by the linear Breit-Wheeler process ($\gamma\gamma \to e^+ e^-$), not the nonlinear process assumed to be dominant at high intensity, because of the high density of $\gamma$ rays emitted inside the target. The favorable scaling with laser intensity of the linear process prompts reconsideration of its neglect in simulation studies, but also permits positron jet formation at intensities that are already experimentally feasible. Simulations show that the positrons, confined by a quasistatic plasma magnetic field, may be accelerated by the lasers to energies $> 200$ MeV.

Published
2020

7. Birefringence in thermally anisotropic relativistic plasmas and its impact on laser-plasma interactions

Author

Arefiev, A., Stark, D., Toncian, T., and Murakami, M.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics, Physics - Optics
Abstract

One of the paradigm-shifting phenomena triggered in laser-plasma interactions at relativistic intensities is the so-called relativistic transparency. As the electrons become heated by the laser to relativistic energies, the plasma becomes transparent to the laser light even though the plasma density is sufficiently high to reflect the laser pulse in the non-relativistic case. This paper highlights the impact that relativistic transparency can have on laser-matter interactions by focusing on a collective phenomenon that is associated with the onset of relativistic transparency: plasma birefringence in thermally anisotropic relativistic plasmas. The optical properties of such a system become dependent on the polarization of light, and this can serve as the basis for plasma-based optical devices or novel diagnostic capabilities.

Published
2020
Full Text
View/download PDF

8. Generation of focusing ion beams by magnetized electron sheath acceleration

Author

Weichman, K., Santos, J. J., Fujioka, S., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A. V.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

We present the first 3D particle-in-cell simulations of laser driven sheath-based ion acceleration in a kilotesla-level applied magnetic field. The applied magnetic field creates two distinct stages in the acceleration process associated with the time-evolving magnetization of the hot electron sheath and results in a focusing, magnetic field-directed ion source of multiple species with strongly enhanced energy and number. The benefits of adding the magnetic field are downplayed in 2D simulations, which strongly suggests the feasibility of observing magnetic field effects under experimentally relevant conditions.

Published
2020

9. Collimated gamma-ray beams from structured laser-irradiated targets -- how to increase the efficiency without increasing the laser intensity

Author

Jansen, O., Wang, T., Gong, Z., Ribeyre, X., d'Humières, E., Stutman, D., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics, Physics - Accelerator Physics, Physics - Applied Physics
Abstract

Using three-dimensional kinetic simulations, we examine the emission of collimated gamma-ray beams from structured laser-irradiated targets with a pre-filled cylindrical channel. The channel guides the incident laser pulse, enabling generation of a slowly evolving azimuthal plasma magnetic field that serves two key functions: to enhance laser-driven electron acceleration and to induce emission of gamma-rays by the energetic electrons. Our main finding is that the conversion efficiency of the laser energy into a beam of gamma-rays ($5^{\circ}$ opening angle) can be significantly increased without increasing the laser intensity by utilizing channels with an optimal density. The conversion efficiency into multi-MeV photons increases roughly linearly with the incident laser power $P$, as we increase $P$ from 1 PW to 4 PW while keeping the laser peak intensity fixed at $5 \times 10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$. This scaling is achieved by using an optimal range of plasma densities in the channel between 10 and $20 n_{cr}$, where $n_{cr}$ is the classical cutoff density for electromagnetic waves. The corresponding number of photons scales as $P^2$. One application that directly benefits from such a strong scaling is the pair production via two-photon collisions, with the number of generated pairs increasing as $P^4$ at fixed laser intensity., Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures

Published
2019
Full Text
View/download PDF

10. Generation of focusing ion beams by magnetized electron sheath acceleration.

Author

Weichman, K, Santos, JJ, Fujioka, S, Toncian, T, and Arefiev, AV

Subjects
physics.plasm-ph
Abstract

We present the first 3D fully kinetic simulations of laser driven sheath-based ion acceleration with a kilotesla-level applied magnetic field. The application of a strong magnetic field significantly and beneficially alters sheath based ion acceleration and creates two distinct stages in the acceleration process associated with the time-evolving magnetization of the hot electron sheath. The first stage delivers dramatically enhanced acceleration, and the second reverses the typical outward-directed topology of the sheath electric field into a focusing configuration. The net result is a focusing, magnetic field-directed ion source of multiple species with strongly enhanced energy and number. The predicted improvements in ion source characteristics are desirable for applications and suggest a route to experimentally confirm magnetization-related effects in the high energy density regime. We additionally perform a comparison between 2D and 3D simulation geometry, on which basis we predict the feasibility of observing magnetic field effects under experimentally relevant conditions.

Published
2020

11. Direct laser acceleration of electrons assisted by strong laser-driven azimuthal plasma magnetic fields.

Author

Gong, Z, Mackenroth, F, Wang, T, Yan, XQ, Toncian, T, and Arefiev, AV

Subjects
physics.plasm-ph, physics.acc-ph, physics.app-ph, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Fluids & Plasmas
Abstract

A high-intensity laser beam propagating through a dense plasma drives a strong current that robustly sustains a strong quasistatic azimuthal magnetic field. The laser field efficiently accelerates electrons in such a field that confines the transverse motion and deflects the electrons in the forward direction. Its advantage is a threshold rather than resonant behavior, accelerating electrons to high energies for sufficiently strong laser-driven currents. We study the electron dynamics via a test-electron model, specifically deriving the corresponding critical current density. We confirm the model's predictions by numerical simulations, indicating energy gains two orders of magnitude higher than achievable without the magnetic field.

Published
2020

12. Power Scaling for Collimated gamma-Ray Beams Generated by Structured Laser-Irradiated Targets and Its Application to Two-Photon Pair Production

Author

Wang, T, Ribeyre, X, Gong, Z, Jansen, O, d'Humieres, E, Stutman, D, Toncian, T, and Arefiev, A

Subjects
physics.plasm-ph, physics.acc-ph, physics.app-ph, Physical Sciences, Engineering
Abstract

Using three-dimensional kinetic simulations, we examine the emission ofcollimated gamma-ray beams from structured laser-irradiated targets with apre-filled cylindrical channel. The channel guides the incident laser pulse,enabling generation of a slowly evolving azimuthal plasma magnetic field thatserves two key functions: to enhance laser-driven electron acceleration and toinduce emission of gamma-rays by the energetic electrons. Our main finding isthat the conversion efficiency of the laser energy into a beam of gamma-rays($5^{\circ}$ opening angle) can be significantly increased without increasingthe laser intensity by utilizing channels with an optimal density. Theconversion efficiency into multi-MeV photons increases roughly linearly withthe incident laser power $P$, as we increase $P$ from 1 PW to 4 PW whilekeeping the laser peak intensity fixed at $5 \times 10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$. Thisscaling is achieved by using an optimal range of plasma densities in thechannel between 10 and $20 n_{cr}$, where $n_{cr}$ is the classical cutoffdensity for electromagnetic waves. The corresponding number of photons scalesas $P^2$. One application that directly benefits from such a strong scaling isthe pair production via two-photon collisions, with the number of generatedpairs increasing as $P^4$ at fixed laser intensity.

Published
2020

13. Power Scaling for Collimated γ-Ray Beams Generated by Structured Laser-Irradiated Targets and Its Application to Two-Photon Pair Production

Author

Wang, T, Ribeyre, X, Gong, Z, Jansen, O, d’Humières, E, Stutman, D, Toncian, T, and Arefiev, A

Subjects
Nuclear and Plasma Physics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Affordable and Clean Energy, physics.plasm-ph, physics.acc-ph, physics.app-ph, Physical sciences
Abstract

Using three-dimensional kinetic simulations, we examine the emission ofcollimated gamma-ray beams from structured laser-irradiated targets with apre-filled cylindrical channel. The channel guides the incident laser pulse,enabling generation of a slowly evolving azimuthal plasma magnetic field thatserves two key functions: to enhance laser-driven electron acceleration and toinduce emission of gamma-rays by the energetic electrons. Our main finding isthat the conversion efficiency of the laser energy into a beam of gamma-rays($5^{\circ}$ opening angle) can be significantly increased without increasingthe laser intensity by utilizing channels with an optimal density. Theconversion efficiency into multi-MeV photons increases roughly linearly withthe incident laser power $P$, as we increase $P$ from 1 PW to 4 PW whilekeeping the laser peak intensity fixed at $5 \times 10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$. Thisscaling is achieved by using an optimal range of plasma densities in thechannel between 10 and $20 n_{cr}$, where $n_{cr}$ is the classical cutoffdensity for electromagnetic waves. The corresponding number of photons scalesas $P^2$. One application that directly benefits from such a strong scaling isthe pair production via two-photon collisions, with the number of generatedpairs increasing as $P^4$ at fixed laser intensity.

Published
2020

14. Forward sliding-swing acceleration: electron acceleration by high-intensity lasers in strong plasma magnetic fields

Author

Gong, Z., Mackenroth, F., Wang, T., Yan, X. Q., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A. V.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics, Physics - Accelerator Physics, Physics - Applied Physics
Abstract

A high-intensity laser beam propagating through a dense plasma drives a strong current that robustly sustains a strong quasi-static Mega Tesla-level azimuthal magnetic field. The transverse laser field efficiently accelerates electrons in the presence of such a field that confines the transverse motion and deflects the electrons in the forward direction, establishing the novel forward-sliding swing acceleration mechanism. Its advantage is a threshold rather than resonant behavior, accelerating electrons to high energies for sufficiently strong laser-driven currents. We study the electrons' dynamics by a simplified model analytically, specifically deriving simple relations between the current, the particles' initial transverse momenta and the laser's field strength classifying the energy gain. We confirm the model's predictions by numerical simulations, indicating Mega ampere-level threshold currents and energy gains two orders of magnitude higher than achievable without the magnetic field., Comment: Letter: 6 pages, 3 figures; Supplemental Material: 5 pages, 4 figures

Published
2018
Full Text
View/download PDF

15. Energy-chirp compensation of laser-driven ion beams enabled by structured targets

Author

Gong, Z., Bulanov, S. S., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A. V.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics, Physics - Accelerator Physics, Physics - Applied Physics
Abstract

We show using 3D simulations that the challenge of generating dense mono-energetic laser-driven ion beams with low angular divergence can be overcome by utilizing structured targets with a relativistically transparent channel and an overdense wall. In contrast to a uniform target that produces a chirped ion beam, the target structure facilitates formation of a dense electron bunch whose longitudinal electric field reverses the energy chirp. This approach works in conjunction with existing acceleration mechanisms, augmenting the ion spectra. For example, our 3D simulations predict a significant improvement for a 2 PW laser pulse with a peak intensity of $5 \times 10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$. The simulations show a mono-energetic proton peak in a highly desirable energy range of 200 MeV with an unprecedented charge of several nC and relatively low divergence that is below 10$^{\circ}$., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

Published
2018
Full Text
View/download PDF

16. Shock compression experiments using the DiPOLE 100-X laser on the high energy density instrument at the European x-ray free electron laser: Quantitative structural analysis of liquid Sn

Author

Gorman, M, Mcgonegle, D, Smith, R, Singh, S, Jenkins, T, Mcwilliams, R, Albertazzi, B, Ali, S, Antonelli, L, Armstrong, M, Baehtz, C, Ball, O, Banerjee, S, Belonoshko, A, Benuzzi-Mounaix, A, Bolme, C, Bouffetier, V, Briggs, R, Buakor, K, Butcher, T, Di Dio Cafiso, S, Cerantola, V, Chantel, J, Di Cicco, A, Clarke, S, Coleman, A, Collier, J, Collins, G, Comley, A, Coppari, F, Cowan, T, Cristoforetti, G, Cynn, H, Descamps, A, Dorchies, F, Duff, M, Dwivedi, A, Edwards, C, Eggert, J, Errandonea, D, Fiquet, G, Galtier, E, Laso Garcia, A, Ginestet, H, Gizzi, L, Gleason, A, Goede, S, Gonzalez, J, Harmand, M, Hartley, N, Heighway, P, Hernandez-Gomez, C, Higginbotham, A, Höppner, H, Husband, R, Hutchinson, T, Hwang, H, Lazicki, A, Keen, D, Kim, J, Koester, P, Konopkova, Z, Kraus, D, Krygier, A, Labate, L, Lee, Y, Liermann, H, Mason, P, Masruri, M, Massani, B, Mcbride, E, Mcguire, C, Mchardy, J, Merkel, S, Morard, G, Nagler, B, Nakatsutsumi, M, Nguyen-Cong, K, Norton, A, Oleynik, I, Otzen, C, Ozaki, N, Pandolfi, S, Peake, D, Pelka, A, Pereira, K, Phillips, J, Prescher, C, Preston, T, Randolph, L, Ranjan, D, Ravasio, A, Redmer, R, Rips, J, Santamaria-Perez, D, Savage, D, Schoelmerich, M, Schwinkendorf, J, Smith, J, Sollier, A, Spear, J, Spindloe, C, Stevenson, M, Strohm, C, Suer, T, Tang, M, Toncian, M, Toncian, T, Tracy, S, Trapananti, A, Tschentscher, T, Tyldesley, M, Vennari, C, Vinci, T, Vogel, S, Volz, T, Vorberger, J, Walsh, J, Wark, J, Willman, J, Wollenweber, L, Zastrau, U, Brambrink, E, Appel, K, Mcmahon, M, Gorman, M. G., McGonegle, D., Smith, R. F., Singh, S., Jenkins, T., McWilliams, R. S., Albertazzi, B., Ali, S. J., Antonelli, L., Armstrong, M. R., Baehtz, C., Ball, O. B., Banerjee, S., Belonoshko, A. B., Benuzzi-Mounaix, A., Bolme, C. A., Bouffetier, V., Briggs, R., Buakor, K., Butcher, T., Di Dio Cafiso, S., Cerantola, V., Chantel, J., Di Cicco, A., Clarke, S., Coleman, A. L., Collier, J., Collins, G. W., Comley, A. J., Coppari, F., Cowan, T. E., Cristoforetti, G., Cynn, H., Descamps, A., Dorchies, F., Duff, M. J., Dwivedi, A., Edwards, C., Eggert, J. H., Errandonea, D., Fiquet, G., Galtier, E., Laso Garcia, A., Ginestet, H., Gizzi, L., Gleason, A., Goede, S., Gonzalez, J. M., Harmand, M., Hartley, N. J., Heighway, P. G., Hernandez-Gomez, C., Higginbotham, A., Höppner, H., Husband, R. J., Hutchinson, T. M., Hwang, H., Lazicki, A. E., Keen, D. A., Kim, J., Koester, P., Konopkova, Z., Kraus, D., Krygier, A., Labate, L., Lee, Y., Liermann, H. -P., Mason, P., Masruri, M., Massani, B., McBride, E. E., McGuire, C., McHardy, J. D., Merkel, S., Morard, G., Nagler, B., Nakatsutsumi, M., Nguyen-Cong, K., Norton, A. -M., Oleynik, I. I., Otzen, C., Ozaki, N., Pandolfi, S., Peake, D. J., Pelka, A., Pereira, K. A., Phillips, J. P., Prescher, C., Preston, T. R., Randolph, L., Ranjan, D., Ravasio, A., Redmer, R., Rips, J., Santamaria-Perez, D., Savage, D. J., Schoelmerich, M., Schwinkendorf, J. -P., Smith, J., Sollier, A., Spear, J., Spindloe, C., Stevenson, M., Strohm, C., Suer, T. -A., Tang, M., Toncian, M., Toncian, T., Tracy, S. J., Trapananti, A., Tschentscher, T., Tyldesley, M., Vennari, C. E., Vinci, T., Vogel, S. C., Volz, T. J., Vorberger, J., Walsh, J. P. S., Wark, J. S., Willman, J. T., Wollenweber, L., Zastrau, U., Brambrink, E., Appel, K., McMahon, M. I., Gorman, M, Mcgonegle, D, Smith, R, Singh, S, Jenkins, T, Mcwilliams, R, Albertazzi, B, Ali, S, Antonelli, L, Armstrong, M, Baehtz, C, Ball, O, Banerjee, S, Belonoshko, A, Benuzzi-Mounaix, A, Bolme, C, Bouffetier, V, Briggs, R, Buakor, K, Butcher, T, Di Dio Cafiso, S, Cerantola, V, Chantel, J, Di Cicco, A, Clarke, S, Coleman, A, Collier, J, Collins, G, Comley, A, Coppari, F, Cowan, T, Cristoforetti, G, Cynn, H, Descamps, A, Dorchies, F, Duff, M, Dwivedi, A, Edwards, C, Eggert, J, Errandonea, D, Fiquet, G, Galtier, E, Laso Garcia, A, Ginestet, H, Gizzi, L, Gleason, A, Goede, S, Gonzalez, J, Harmand, M, Hartley, N, Heighway, P, Hernandez-Gomez, C, Higginbotham, A, Höppner, H, Husband, R, Hutchinson, T, Hwang, H, Lazicki, A, Keen, D, Kim, J, Koester, P, Konopkova, Z, Kraus, D, Krygier, A, Labate, L, Lee, Y, Liermann, H, Mason, P, Masruri, M, Massani, B, Mcbride, E, Mcguire, C, Mchardy, J, Merkel, S, Morard, G, Nagler, B, Nakatsutsumi, M, Nguyen-Cong, K, Norton, A, Oleynik, I, Otzen, C, Ozaki, N, Pandolfi, S, Peake, D, Pelka, A, Pereira, K, Phillips, J, Prescher, C, Preston, T, Randolph, L, Ranjan, D, Ravasio, A, Redmer, R, Rips, J, Santamaria-Perez, D, Savage, D, Schoelmerich, M, Schwinkendorf, J, Smith, J, Sollier, A, Spear, J, Spindloe, C, Stevenson, M, Strohm, C, Suer, T, Tang, M, Toncian, M, Toncian, T, Tracy, S, Trapananti, A, Tschentscher, T, Tyldesley, M, Vennari, C, Vinci, T, Vogel, S, Volz, T, Vorberger, J, Walsh, J, Wark, J, Willman, J, Wollenweber, L, Zastrau, U, Brambrink, E, Appel, K, Mcmahon, M, Gorman, M. G., McGonegle, D., Smith, R. F., Singh, S., Jenkins, T., McWilliams, R. S., Albertazzi, B., Ali, S. J., Antonelli, L., Armstrong, M. R., Baehtz, C., Ball, O. B., Banerjee, S., Belonoshko, A. B., Benuzzi-Mounaix, A., Bolme, C. A., Bouffetier, V., Briggs, R., Buakor, K., Butcher, T., Di Dio Cafiso, S., Cerantola, V., Chantel, J., Di Cicco, A., Clarke, S., Coleman, A. L., Collier, J., Collins, G. W., Comley, A. J., Coppari, F., Cowan, T. E., Cristoforetti, G., Cynn, H., Descamps, A., Dorchies, F., Duff, M. J., Dwivedi, A., Edwards, C., Eggert, J. H., Errandonea, D., Fiquet, G., Galtier, E., Laso Garcia, A., Ginestet, H., Gizzi, L., Gleason, A., Goede, S., Gonzalez, J. M., Harmand, M., Hartley, N. J., Heighway, P. G., Hernandez-Gomez, C., Higginbotham, A., Höppner, H., Husband, R. J., Hutchinson, T. M., Hwang, H., Lazicki, A. E., Keen, D. A., Kim, J., Koester, P., Konopkova, Z., Kraus, D., Krygier, A., Labate, L., Lee, Y., Liermann, H. -P., Mason, P., Masruri, M., Massani, B., McBride, E. E., McGuire, C., McHardy, J. D., Merkel, S., Morard, G., Nagler, B., Nakatsutsumi, M., Nguyen-Cong, K., Norton, A. -M., Oleynik, I. I., Otzen, C., Ozaki, N., Pandolfi, S., Peake, D. J., Pelka, A., Pereira, K. A., Phillips, J. P., Prescher, C., Preston, T. R., Randolph, L., Ranjan, D., Ravasio, A., Redmer, R., Rips, J., Santamaria-Perez, D., Savage, D. J., Schoelmerich, M., Schwinkendorf, J. -P., Smith, J., Sollier, A., Spear, J., Spindloe, C., Stevenson, M., Strohm, C., Suer, T. -A., Tang, M., Toncian, M., Toncian, T., Tracy, S. J., Trapananti, A., Tschentscher, T., Tyldesley, M., Vennari, C. E., Vinci, T., Vogel, S. C., Volz, T. J., Vorberger, J., Walsh, J. P. S., Wark, J. S., Willman, J. T., Wollenweber, L., Zastrau, U., Brambrink, E., Appel, K., and McMahon, M. I.

Abstract

X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) sources coupled to high-power laser systems offer an avenue to study the structural dynamics of materials at extreme pressures and temperatures. The recent commissioning of the DiPOLE 100-X laser on the high energy density (HED) instrument at the European XFEL represents the state-of-the-art in combining x-ray diffraction with laser compression, allowing for compressed materials to be probed in unprecedented detail. Here, we report quantitative structural measurements of molten Sn compressed to 85(5) GPa and ∼ 3500 K. The capabilities of the HED instrument enable liquid density measurements with an uncertainty of ∼ 1 % at conditions which are extremely challenging to reach via static compression methods. We discuss best practices for conducting liquid diffraction dynamic compression experiments and the necessary intensity corrections which allow for accurate quantitative analysis. We also provide a polyimide ablation pressure vs input laser energy for the DiPOLE 100-X drive laser which will serve future users of the HED instrument.

Published
2024

17. Laser-driven strong magnetostatic fields with applications to charged beam transport and magnetized high energy-density physics

Author

Santos, J. J., Bailly-Grandvaux, M., Ehret, M., Arefiev, A. V., Batani, D., Beg, F. N., Calisti, A., Ferri, S., Florido, R., Forestier-Colleoni, P., Fujioka, S., Gigosos, M. A., Giuffrida, L., Gremillet, L., Honrubia, . J., Kojima, S., Korneev, Ph., Law, K. F. F., Marquès, J. -R., Morace, A., Mossé, C., Peyrusse, O., Rose, S., Roth, M., Sakata, S., Schaumann, G., Suzuki-Vidal, F., Tikhonchuk, V. T., Toncian, T., Woolsey, N., and Zhang, Z.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

Powerful laser-plasma processes are explored to generate discharge currents of a few $100\,$kA in coil targets, yielding magnetostatic fields (B-fields) in excess of $0.5\,$kT. The quasi-static currents are provided from hot electron ejection from the laser-irradiated surface. According to our model, describing qualitatively the evolution of the discharge current, the major control parameter is the laser irradiance $I_{\mathrm{las}}\lambda_{\mathrm{las}}^2$. The space-time evolution of the B-fields is experimentally characterized by high-frequency bandwidth B-dot probes and by proton-deflectometry measurements. The magnetic pulses, of ns-scale, are long enough to magnetize secondary targets through resistive diffusion. We applied it in experiments of laser-generated relativistic electron transport into solid dielectric targets, yielding an unprecedented 5-fold enhancement of the energy-density flux at $60 \,\mathrm{\mu m}$ depth, compared to unmagnetized transport conditions. These studies pave the ground for magnetized high-energy density physics investigations, related to laser-generated secondary sources of radiation and/or high-energy particles and their transport, to high-gain fusion energy schemes and to laboratory astrophysics., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, invited APS

Published
2017
Full Text
View/download PDF

18. Bright 5 - 85 MeV Compton gamma-ray pulses from GeV laser-plasma accelerator and plasma mirror

Author

Shaw, J. M., Bernstein, A. C., Zgadzaj, R., Hannasch, A., LaBerge, M., Chang, Y. Y., Weichman, K., Welch, J., Henderson, W., Tsai, H. -E., Fazel, N., Wang, X., Ditmire, T., Donovan, M., Dyer, G., Gaul, E., Gordon, J., Martinez, M., Spinks, M., Toncian, T., Wagner, C., and Downer, M. C.

Subjects
Physics - Accelerator Physics
Abstract

We convert a GeV laser-plasma electron accelerator into a compact femtosecond-pulsed $\gamma$-ray source by inserting a $100 \mu$m-thick glass plate $\sim3$ cm after the accelerator exit. With near-unity reliability, and requiring only crude alignment, this glass plasma mirror retro-reflected spent drive laser pulses (photon energy $\hbar\omega_L = 1.17$ eV) with $>50\%$ efficiency back onto trailing electrons (peak Lorentz factor $1000 < \gamma_e < 4400$), creating an optical undulator that generated $\sim10^8 \gamma$-ray photons with sub-mrad divergence, estimated peak brilliance $\sim10^{21}$ photons/s/mm$^2$/mrad$^2$/$0.1\%$ bandwidth and negligible bremsstrahlung background. The $\gamma$-ray photon energy $E_\gamma = 4\gamma_e^2 \hbar\omega_L$, inferred from the measured $\gamma_e$ on each shot, peaked from 5 to 85 MeV, spanning a range otherwise available with comparable brilliance only from large-scale GeV-linac-based high-intensity $\gamma$-ray sources.

Published
2017

19. Laser ion-shotgun acceleration

Author

Arefiev, AV, Gong, Z, Toncian, T, and Bulanov, SS

Subjects
physics.plasm-ph, physics.acc-ph, physics.app-ph
Abstract

Relativistic transparency induced by an ultra-intense laser ($5 \times10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$) offers an attractive method for generating extreme electric(50 TV/m) and magnetic (0.5 MT) fields by enabling laser pulse propagationthrough a very dense and otherwise opaque material. A slowly evolving structurethat effectively accelerates ions is generated by employing a target ($\sim 10$$\mu$m thick) with a pre-filled channel that guides the laser pulse. As thepulse exits the channel driving a strong electron current, strong acceleratinglongitudinal and focusing transverse electric fields emerge at the rear side ofthe target. Three-dimensional kinetic simulations predict a low-diverging densemono-energetic proton bunch with energies of 200-300 MeV. The charge in anopening angle of $10^{\circ}$ is tens of nC. This scheme potentially allowshigh repetition rate operation and relaxes laser contrast requirements.

Published
2018

20. Energy-chirp compensation of laser-driven ion beams enabled by structured targets

Author

Gong, Z, Bulanov, SS, Toncian, T, and Arefiev, AV

Subjects
physics.plasm-ph, physics.acc-ph, physics.app-ph
Abstract

We show using 3D simulations that the challenge of generating densemono-energetic laser-driven ion beams with low angular divergence can beovercome by utilizing structured targets with a relativistically transparentchannel and an overdense wall. In contrast to a uniform target that produces achirped ion beam, the target structure facilitates formation of a denseelectron bunch whose longitudinal electric field reverses the energy chirp.This approach works in conjunction with existing acceleration mechanisms,augmenting the ion spectra. For example, our 3D simulations predict asignificant improvement for a 2 PW laser pulse with a peak intensity of $5\times 10^{22}$ W/cm$^2$. The simulations show a mono-energetic proton peak ina highly desirable energy range of 200 MeV with an unprecedented charge ofseveral nC and relatively low divergence that is below 10$^{\circ}$.

Published
2018

21. Highly-efficient source of collimated multi-MeV photons driven by radiation reaction of an electron beam in a self-generated magnetic field

Author

Stark, D. J., Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A. V.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

The rapid development of high brilliance X-ray radiation sources is revolutionizing physics, chemistry, and biology research through their novel applications. Another breakthrough is anticipated with the construction of next-generation laser facilities which will operate at intensities beyond $10^{23}$ $\mathrm{W/cm^2}$, leading to higher yield, shorter wavelength radiation sources. We use numerical simulations to demonstrate that a source of collimated multi-MeV photons with conversion efficiency comparable to the one expected for these facilities is achievable at an order of magnitude lower in intensity, within reach of the existing facilities. In the optimal setup, the laser pulse irradiates a bulk solid-density target, heating the target electrons and inducing relativistic transparency. As the pulse then propagates, it generates a beam of energetic electrons which in turn drives a strong azimuthal magnetic field. This field significantly enhances the radiation reaction for the electrons, yielding tens of TW of directed MeV photons for a PW-class laser.

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

22. Non-Maxwellian electron distributions resulting from direct laser acceleration in near-critical plasmas

Author

Toncian, T., Wang, C., McCary, E., Meadows, A., Arefiev, A. V., Blakeney, J., Serratto, K., Kuk, D., Chester, C., Roycroft, R., Gao, L., Fu, H., Yan, X. Q., Schreiber, J., Pomerantz, I., Bernstein, A., Quevedo, H., Dyer, G., Ditmire, T., and Hegelich, B. M.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

The irradiation of few nm thick targets by a finite-contrast high-intensity short-pulse laser results in a strong pre-expansion of these targets at the arrival time of the main pulse. The targets decompress to near and lower than critical densities plasmas extending over few micrometers, i.e. multiple wavelengths. The interaction of the main pulse with such a highly localized but inhomogeneous target leads to the generation of a short channel and further self-focusing of the laser beam. Experiments at the GHOST laser system at UT Austin using such targets measured non-Maxwellian, peaked electron distribution with large bunch charge and high electron density in the laser propagation direction. These results are reproduced in 2D PIC simulations using the EPOCH code, identifying Direct Laser Acceleration (DLA) as the responsible mechanism. This is the first time that DLA has been observed to produce peaked spectra as opposed to broad, maxwellian spectra observed in earlier experiments. This high-density electrons have potential applications as injector beams for a further wakefield acceleration stage as well as for pump-probe applications., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

23. Shock compression experiments using the DiPOLE 100-X laser on the high energy density instrument at the European x-ray free electron laser: Quantitative structural analysis of liquid Sn

Author

Gorman, M. G., primary, McGonegle, D., additional, Smith, R. F., additional, Singh, S., additional, Jenkins, T., additional, McWilliams, R. S., additional, Albertazzi, B., additional, Ali, S. J., additional, Antonelli, L., additional, Armstrong, M. R., additional, Baehtz, C., additional, Ball, O. B., additional, Banerjee, S., additional, Belonoshko, A. B., additional, Benuzzi-Mounaix, A., additional, Bolme, C. A., additional, Bouffetier, V., additional, Briggs, R., additional, Buakor, K., additional, Butcher, T., additional, Di Dio Cafiso, S., additional, Cerantola, V., additional, Chantel, J., additional, Di Cicco, A., additional, Clarke, S., additional, Coleman, A. L., additional, Collier, J., additional, Collins, G. W., additional, Comley, A. J., additional, Coppari, F., additional, Cowan, T. E., additional, Cristoforetti, G., additional, Cynn, H., additional, Descamps, A., additional, Dorchies, F., additional, Duff, M. J., additional, Dwivedi, A., additional, Edwards, C., additional, Eggert, J. H., additional, Errandonea, D., additional, Fiquet, G., additional, Galtier, E., additional, Laso Garcia, A., additional, Ginestet, H., additional, Gizzi, L., additional, Gleason, A., additional, Goede, S., additional, Gonzalez, J. M., additional, Harmand, M., additional, Hartley, N. J., additional, Heighway, P. G., additional, Hernandez-Gomez, C., additional, Higginbotham, A., additional, Höppner, H., additional, Husband, R. J., additional, Hutchinson, T. M., additional, Hwang, H., additional, Lazicki, A. E., additional, Keen, D. A., additional, Kim, J., additional, Koester, P., additional, Konopkova, Z., additional, Kraus, D., additional, Krygier, A., additional, Labate, L., additional, Lee, Y., additional, Liermann, H.-P., additional, Mason, P., additional, Masruri, M., additional, Massani, B., additional, McBride, E. E., additional, McGuire, C., additional, McHardy, J. D., additional, Merkel, S., additional, Morard, G., additional, Nagler, B., additional, Nakatsutsumi, M., additional, Nguyen-Cong, K., additional, Norton, A.-M., additional, Oleynik, I. I., additional, Otzen, C., additional, Ozaki, N., additional, Pandolfi, S., additional, Peake, D. J., additional, Pelka, A., additional, Pereira, K. A., additional, Phillips, J. P., additional, Prescher, C., additional, Preston, T. R., additional, Randolph, L., additional, Ranjan, D., additional, Ravasio, A., additional, Redmer, R., additional, Rips, J., additional, Santamaria-Perez, D., additional, Savage, D. J., additional, Schoelmerich, M., additional, Schwinkendorf, J.-P., additional, Smith, J., additional, Sollier, A., additional, Spear, J., additional, Spindloe, C., additional, Stevenson, M., additional, Strohm, C., additional, Suer, T.-A., additional, Tang, M., additional, Toncian, M., additional, Toncian, T., additional, Tracy, S. J., additional, Trapananti, A., additional, Tschentscher, T., additional, Tyldesley, M., additional, Vennari, C. E., additional, Vinci, T., additional, Vogel, S. C., additional, Volz, T. J., additional, Vorberger, J., additional, Walsh, J. P. S., additional, Wark, J. S., additional, Willman, J. T., additional, Wollenweber, L., additional, Zastrau, U., additional, Brambrink, E., additional, Appel, K., additional, and McMahon, M. I., additional

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

24. Visualizing plasmons and ultrafast kinetic instabilities in laser-driven solids using X-ray scattering

Author

(0009-0007-5067-7326) Ordyna, P., Bähtz, C., (0009-0004-2404-9412) Brambrink, E., (0000-0002-8258-3881) Bussmann, M., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-6994-2475) Garten, M., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., Göde, S., Grenzer, J., (0000-0002-0051-8542) Gutt, C., Höppner, H., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Hübner, U., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., (0009-0005-6873-8292) Edward Marré, B., (0000-0002-9556-0662) Metzkes-Ng, J., (0000-0002-9933-3248) Miethlinger, T., (0000-0003-0868-4745) Nakatsutsumi, M., Öztürk, Ö., (0000-0002-3882-510X) Pan, X., (0009-0001-0047-1051) Paschke-Brühl, F.-L., (0009-0001-3308-5376) Pelka, A., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., (0000-0003-1228-2263) Preston, T. R., (0000-0001-9587-404X) Randolph, L., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., Schwinkendorf, J.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Šmíd, M., (0000-0001-5007-1868) Starke, S., (0000-0002-4195-2038) Štefaníková, R., Thiessenhusen, E., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., (0009-0007-5067-7326) Ordyna, P., Bähtz, C., (0009-0004-2404-9412) Brambrink, E., (0000-0002-8258-3881) Bussmann, M., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-6994-2475) Garten, M., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., Göde, S., Grenzer, J., (0000-0002-0051-8542) Gutt, C., Höppner, H., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Hübner, U., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., (0009-0005-6873-8292) Edward Marré, B., (0000-0002-9556-0662) Metzkes-Ng, J., (0000-0002-9933-3248) Miethlinger, T., (0000-0003-0868-4745) Nakatsutsumi, M., Öztürk, Ö., (0000-0002-3882-510X) Pan, X., (0009-0001-0047-1051) Paschke-Brühl, F.-L., (0009-0001-3308-5376) Pelka, A., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., (0000-0003-1228-2263) Preston, T. R., (0000-0001-9587-404X) Randolph, L., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., Schwinkendorf, J.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Šmíd, M., (0000-0001-5007-1868) Starke, S., (0000-0002-4195-2038) Štefaníková, R., Thiessenhusen, E., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., and (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T.

Abstract

Ultra-intense lasers that ionize atoms and accelerate electrons in solids to near the speed of light can lead to kinetic instabilities that alter the laser absorption and subsequent electron transport, isochoric heating, and ion acceleration. These instabilities can be difficult to characterize, but X-ray scattering at keV photon energies allows for their visualization with femtosecond temporal resolution on the few nanometer mesoscale. Here, we perform such experiment on laser-driven flat silicon membranes that shows the development of structure with a dominant scale of 60 nm in the plane of the laser axis and laser polarization, and 95 nm in the vertical direction with a growth rate faster than 0.1 fs−1 . Combining the XFEL experiments with simulations provides a complete picture of the structural evolution of ultra-fast laser-induced plasma density development, indicating the excita- tion of plasmons and a filamentation instability. Particle-in-cell simulations confirm that these signals are due to an oblique two-stream filamentation instability. These findings provide new insight into ultra-fast instability and heating processes in solids under extreme conditions at the nanometer level with possible implications for laser particle acceleration, inertial confinement fusion, and laboratory astrophysics.

Published
2024

25. Toward using collective x-ray Thomson scattering to study C-H demixing and hydrogen metallization in warm dense matter conditions

Author

Ranjan, D, Ramakrishna, K, Voigt, K, Humphries, O, Heuser, B, Stevenson, M, Lütgert, J, He, Z, Qu, C, Schumacher, S, May, P, Amouretti, A, Appel, K, Brambrink, E, Cerantola, V, Chekrygina, D, Fletcher, L, Göde, S, Harmand, M, Hartley, N, Hau-Riege, S, Makita, M, Pelka, A, Schuster, A, Šmíd, M, Toncian, T, Zhang, M, Preston, T, Zastrau, U, Vorberger, J, Kraus, D, Ranjan D., Ramakrishna K., Voigt K., Humphries O. S., Heuser B., Stevenson M. G., Lütgert J., He Z., Qu C., Schumacher S., May P. T., Amouretti A., Appel K., Brambrink E., Cerantola V., Chekrygina D., Fletcher L. B., Göde S., Harmand M., Hartley N. J., Hau-Riege S. P., Makita M., Pelka A., Schuster A. K., Šmíd M., Toncian T., Zhang M., Preston T. R., Zastrau U., Vorberger J., Kraus D., Ranjan, D, Ramakrishna, K, Voigt, K, Humphries, O, Heuser, B, Stevenson, M, Lütgert, J, He, Z, Qu, C, Schumacher, S, May, P, Amouretti, A, Appel, K, Brambrink, E, Cerantola, V, Chekrygina, D, Fletcher, L, Göde, S, Harmand, M, Hartley, N, Hau-Riege, S, Makita, M, Pelka, A, Schuster, A, Šmíd, M, Toncian, T, Zhang, M, Preston, T, Zastrau, U, Vorberger, J, Kraus, D, Ranjan D., Ramakrishna K., Voigt K., Humphries O. S., Heuser B., Stevenson M. G., Lütgert J., He Z., Qu C., Schumacher S., May P. T., Amouretti A., Appel K., Brambrink E., Cerantola V., Chekrygina D., Fletcher L. B., Göde S., Harmand M., Hartley N. J., Hau-Riege S. P., Makita M., Pelka A., Schuster A. K., Šmíd M., Toncian T., Zhang M., Preston T. R., Zastrau U., Vorberger J., and Kraus D.

Abstract

The insulator-metal transition in liquid hydrogen is an important phenomenon to understand the interiors of gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the physical and chemical behavior of materials at high pressures and temperatures. Here, the path toward an experimental approach is detailed based on spectrally resolved x-ray scattering, tailored to observe and characterize hydrogen metallization in dynamically compressed hydrocarbons in the regime of carbon-hydrogen phase separation. With the help of time-dependent density functional theory calculations and scattering spectra from undriven carbon samples collected at the European x-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (EuXFEL), we demonstrate sufficient data quality for observing C-H demixing and investigating the presence of liquid metallic hydrogen in future experiments using the reprated drive laser systems at EuXFEL.

Published
2023

26. Absorption of Ultrashort Laser Pulses in Strongly Overdense Targets

Author

Cerchez, M., Jung, R., Osterholz, J., Toncian, T., Willi, O., Mulser, P., and Ruhl, H.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

We report on the first absorption experiments of sub-10 fs high-contrast Ti:Sa laser pulses incident on solid targets. The very good contrast of the laser pulse assures the formation of a very small pre-plasma and the pulse interacts with the matter close to solid density. Experimental results indicate that p-polarized laser pulses are absorbed up to 80 percent at 80 degrees incidence angle. The simulation results of PSC PIC code clearly confirm the observations and show that the collisionless absorption works efficiently in steep density profiles.

Published
2008
Full Text
View/download PDF

27. Transient electric fields in laser plasmas observed by proton streak deflectometry

Author

Sokollik, T., Schnuerer, M., Ter-Avetisyan, S., Nickles, P. V., Risse, E., Kalashnikov, M., Sandner, W., Priebe, G., Amin, M., Toncian, T., Willi, O., and Andreev, A. A.

Subjects
Physics - Plasma Physics
Abstract

A novel proton imaging technique was applied which allows a continuous temporal record of electric fields within a time window of several nanoseconds. This "proton streak deflectometry" was used to investigate transient electric fields of intense (~ 10^17 W/cm^2) laser irradiated foils. We found out that these fields with an absolute peak of up to 10^8 V/m extend over millimeter lateral extension and decay at nanosecond duration. Hence, they last much longer than the (~ ps) laser excitation, and extend much beyond the laser irradiation focus.

Published
2008
Full Text
View/download PDF

31. Toward using collective x-ray Thomson scattering to study C–H demixing and hydrogen metallization in warm dense matter conditions

Author

Ranjan, D., primary, Ramakrishna, K., additional, Voigt, K., additional, Humphries, O. S., additional, Heuser, B., additional, Stevenson, M. G., additional, Lütgert, J., additional, He, Z., additional, Qu, C., additional, Schumacher, S., additional, May, P. T., additional, Amouretti, A., additional, Appel, K., additional, Brambrink, E., additional, Cerantola, V., additional, Chekrygina, D., additional, Fletcher, L. B., additional, Göde, S., additional, Harmand, M., additional, Hartley, N. J., additional, Hau-Riege, S. P., additional, Makita, M., additional, Pelka, A., additional, Schuster, A. K., additional, Šmíd, M., additional, Toncian, T., additional, Zhang, M., additional, Preston, T. R., additional, Zastrau, U., additional, Vorberger, J., additional, and Kraus, D., additional

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

33. Visualizing Ultrafast Kinetic Instabilities in Laser-Driven Solids using X-ray Scattering

Author

Ordyna, P., (0000-0002-8258-3881) Bussmann, M., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., Grenzer, J., Gutt, C., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-6994-2475) Garten, M., Höppner, H., Humpries, O., (0009-0005-6873-8292) Marre, B. E., (0000-0002-9556-0662) Metzkes-Ng, J., Nakatsutsumi, M., Öztürk, Ö., (0000-0002-3882-510X) Pan, X., (0009-0001-0047-1051) Paschke-Brühl, F.-L., Pelka, A., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Randolph, L., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0002-4195-2038) Stefanikova, R., Thiessenhusen, E., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., Ordyna, P., (0000-0002-8258-3881) Bussmann, M., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., Grenzer, J., Gutt, C., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-6994-2475) Garten, M., Höppner, H., Humpries, O., (0009-0005-6873-8292) Marre, B. E., (0000-0002-9556-0662) Metzkes-Ng, J., Nakatsutsumi, M., Öztürk, Ö., (0000-0002-3882-510X) Pan, X., (0009-0001-0047-1051) Paschke-Brühl, F.-L., Pelka, A., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Randolph, L., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0002-4195-2038) Stefanikova, R., Thiessenhusen, E., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., and (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T.

Abstract

Ultra-intense lasers that ionize and accelerate electrons in solids to near the speed of light can lead to kinetic instabilities that alter the laser absorption and subsequent electron transport, isochoric heating, and ion acceleration. These instabilities can be difficult to characterize, but a novel approach using X-ray scattering at keV energies allows for their visualization with femtosecond temporal resolution on the few nanometer mesoscale. Our experiments on laser-driven flat silicon membranes show the development of structure with a dominant scale of $~60\unit{nm}$ in the plane of the laser axis and laser polarization, and $~95\unit{nm}$ in the vertical direction with a growth rate faster than $0.1/\mathrm{fs}$. Combining the XFEL experiments with simulations provides a complete picture of the structural evolution of ultra-fast laser-induced instability development, indicating the excitation of surface plasmons and the growth of a new type of filamentation instability. These findings provide new insight into the ultra-fast instability processes in solids under extreme conditions at the nanometer level with important implications for inertial confinement fusion and laboratory astrophysics.

Published
2023

34. Spectral-temporal Measurement Capabilities of Third-order Correlators

Author

(0000-0002-1919-8585) Bock, S., (0000-0003-3593-1609) Oksenhendler, T., (0000-0002-4738-6436) Püschel, T., Gebhardt, R., Helbig, U., (0000-0001-7990-9564) Pausch, R., (0000-0002-3727-7017) Ziegler, T., (0000-0003-1739-0159) Bernert, C., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0002-4626-0049) Irman, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8298-4442) Kiriyama, H., (0000-0001-8143-0827) Nishiuchi, M., (0000-0003-4728-2079) Kon, A., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-1919-8585) Bock, S., (0000-0003-3593-1609) Oksenhendler, T., (0000-0002-4738-6436) Püschel, T., Gebhardt, R., Helbig, U., (0000-0001-7990-9564) Pausch, R., (0000-0002-3727-7017) Ziegler, T., (0000-0003-1739-0159) Bernert, C., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0002-4626-0049) Irman, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8298-4442) Kiriyama, H., (0000-0001-8143-0827) Nishiuchi, M., (0000-0003-4728-2079) Kon, A., and (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U.

Abstract

We present a method extending scanning third-order correlator temporal pulse14 evolution measurement capabilities of high power short pulse lasers to spectral sensitivity within15 the spectral range exploited by typical chirped pulse amplification systems. Modelling of the16 spectral response achieved by angle tuning of the third harmonic generating crystal is applied17 and experimentally validated. Exemplary measurements of spectrally resolved pulse contrast of a18 Petawatt laser frontend illustrate the importance of full bandwidth coverage for the interpretation19 of relativistic laser target interaction in particular for the case of solid targets.

Published
2023

35. Detection schemes for quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence

Author

(0000-0002-0558-9454) Ahmadiniaz, N., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Grenzer, J., Franchino-Vinas, S., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Trejo Espinosa, M. A., Schützhold, R., (0000-0002-0558-9454) Ahmadiniaz, N., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Grenzer, J., Franchino-Vinas, S., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Trejo Espinosa, M. A., and Schützhold, R.

Abstract

Motivated by recent experimental initiatives, such as at the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF) at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), we calculate the birefringent scattering of x-rays at the combined field of two optical (or near-optical) lasers and compare various scenarios. % In order to facilitate an experimental detection of quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence, special emphasis is placed on scenarios where the initial and final x-ray photons differ not just in polarization, but also in propagation direction (corresponding to scattering angles in the mrad regime) and possibly energy.

Published
2023

36. High field suppression of bremsstrahlung emission in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions

Author

(0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., Arefiev, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., Arefiev, A., and (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T.

Abstract

The interaction of high-intensity lasers with plasma is predicted to produce extreme quasi-static magnetic fields with magnitudes approaching Megatesla (MT) levels. In relativistically transparent plasmas, these fields can enhance direct laser acceleration and allow efficient gamma-ray emission by accelerated electrons. However, due to the so-called magnetic suppression effect, the magnetic field can also affect radiating electron trajectories and thus reduce the emission probability of the bremsstrahlung. This is the first study to examine the bremsstrahlung suppression mechanism in the context of high-intensity laser-plasma interactions. Our paper describes a new module that integrates the suppression effect into the standard bremsstrahlung module of the EPOCH particle-in-cell code by considering the impact of magnetic fields and extending the analysis to electric fields. We also investigate this suppressing mechanism's effect on the emitting electron's dynamics. Our findings show that this mechanism not only suppresses low-energy emissions but also has an impact on the dynamics of the radiating electrons.

Published
2023

37. Toward using collective x-ray Thomson scattering to study C–H demixing and hydrogen metallization in warm dense matter conditions

Author

(0000-0002-8641-4794) Ranjan, D., (0000-0003-4211-2484) Ramakrishna, K., (0000-0001-8090-2626) Voigt, K., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., (0000-0001-6363-1780) Heuser, B., (0009-0006-9039-5756) Stevenson, M. G., (0000-0002-2593-573X) Lütgert, B. J., (0000-0001-5416-456X) He, Z., (0000-0002-4890-7440) Qu, C., (0000-0002-1846-0000) Schumacher, S., (0009-0003-4989-8704) May, P. T., Amouretti, A., (0000-0002-2902-2102) Appel, K., Brambrink, E., (0000-0002-2808-2963) Cerantola, V., (0000-0002-7337-2337) Chekrygina, D., (0000-0002-7120-7194) Fletcher, L. B., Göde, S., (0000-0003-0713-5824) Harmand, M., (0000-0002-6268-2436) Hartley, N., (0000-0001-7331-6485) Hau-Riege, S. P., (0000-0003-1513-9198) Makita, M., Pelka, A., (0000-0001-5489-5952) Schuster, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zhang, M., (0000-0003-1228-2263) Preston, T. R., (0000-0002-3575-4449) Zastrau, U., (0000-0001-5926-9192) Vorberger, J., (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D., (0000-0002-8641-4794) Ranjan, D., (0000-0003-4211-2484) Ramakrishna, K., (0000-0001-8090-2626) Voigt, K., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., (0000-0001-6363-1780) Heuser, B., (0009-0006-9039-5756) Stevenson, M. G., (0000-0002-2593-573X) Lütgert, B. J., (0000-0001-5416-456X) He, Z., (0000-0002-4890-7440) Qu, C., (0000-0002-1846-0000) Schumacher, S., (0009-0003-4989-8704) May, P. T., Amouretti, A., (0000-0002-2902-2102) Appel, K., Brambrink, E., (0000-0002-2808-2963) Cerantola, V., (0000-0002-7337-2337) Chekrygina, D., (0000-0002-7120-7194) Fletcher, L. B., Göde, S., (0000-0003-0713-5824) Harmand, M., (0000-0002-6268-2436) Hartley, N., (0000-0001-7331-6485) Hau-Riege, S. P., (0000-0003-1513-9198) Makita, M., Pelka, A., (0000-0001-5489-5952) Schuster, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zhang, M., (0000-0003-1228-2263) Preston, T. R., (0000-0002-3575-4449) Zastrau, U., (0000-0001-5926-9192) Vorberger, J., and (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D.

Abstract

The insulator–metal transition in liquid hydrogen is an important phenomenon to understand the interiors of gas giants, such as Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the physical and chemical behavior of materials at high pressures and temperatures. Here, the path toward an experimental approach is detailed based on spectrally resolved x-ray scattering, tailored to observe and characterize hydrogen metallization in dynamically compressed hydrocarbons in the regime of carbon–hydrogen phase separation. With the help of time-dependent density functional theory calculations and scattering spectra from undriven carbon samples collected at the European x-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (EuXFEL), we demonstrate sufficient data quality for observing C–H demixing and investigating the presence of liquid metallic hydrogen in future experiments using the reprated drive laser systems at EuXFEL.

Published
2023

40. Detection schemes for quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence

Author

(0000-0002-0558-9454) Ahmadiniaz, N., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Grenzer, J., Franchino-Vinas, S., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Trejo Espinosa, M. A., Schützhold, R., (0000-0002-0558-9454) Ahmadiniaz, N., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Grenzer, J., Franchino-Vinas, S., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Trejo Espinosa, M. A., and Schützhold, R.

Abstract

Motivated by recent experimental initiatives, such as at the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF) at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL), we calculate the birefringent scattering of x-rays at the combined field of two optical (or near-optical) lasers and compare various scenarios. % In order to facilitate an experimental detection of quantum vacuum diffraction and birefringence, special emphasis is placed on scenarios where the initial and final x-ray photons differ not just in polarization, but also in propagation direction (corresponding to scattering angles in the mrad regime) and possibly energy.

Published
2022

41. Commissioning and First User Experiments with ReLaX and XFEL Beam

Author

(0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Arefiev, A., Kemp, A., Allen, C. H., Bähtz, C., Nagler, B., Palmer, C. A. J., Murphy, C. D., Spindloe, C., Brown, C. R. D., Neely, D., (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D., Marley, E., Hartouni, E. P., Fiuza, F., Grim, G. P., Cochran, G. E., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Williams, J., Green, J., Eggert, J. H., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., Lancaster, K. L., Divol, L., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Schoelmerich, M., (0000-0001-6200-6406) Rehwald, M., Oliver, M., Rödel, M., Macdonald, M., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., Makita, M., Nakatsutsumi, M., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., Neumayer, P. B., Mabey, P., Shepherd, R. L., Gray, R., Wilks, S. C., Le Pape, S., Kerr, S. M., Glenzer, S. H., Funk, S., Gales, S. G., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., White, T. G., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., Doeppner, T., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zastrau, U., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., Ping, Y., He, Z., Höppner, H., Pelka, A., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Arefiev, A., Kemp, A., Allen, C. H., Bähtz, C., Nagler, B., Palmer, C. A. J., Murphy, C. D., Spindloe, C., Brown, C. R. D., Neely, D., (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D., Marley, E., Hartouni, E. P., Fiuza, F., Grim, G. P., Cochran, G. E., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Williams, J., Green, J., Eggert, J. H., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., Lancaster, K. L., Divol, L., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Schoelmerich, M., (0000-0001-6200-6406) Rehwald, M., Oliver, M., Rödel, M., Macdonald, M., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., Makita, M., Nakatsutsumi, M., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., Neumayer, P. B., Mabey, P., Shepherd, R. L., Gray, R., Wilks, S. C., Le Pape, S., Kerr, S. M., Glenzer, S. H., Funk, S., Gales, S. G., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., White, T. G., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., Doeppner, T., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zastrau, U., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., Ping, Y., He, Z., Höppner, H., and Pelka, A.

Abstract

In this presentation we provide an overview of the commissioning and first user experiment of ReLaX in combination with the XFEL beam. We will introduce the setup and laser parameters. We will show the established standard setup combining small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), phase-contrast imaging (PCI) and spectroscopy techniques. Finally we will show examples of the data obtained in the interaction of the ReLaX laser with targets of interested for the short-pulse laser community.

Published
2022

42. Non-linearity induced contrast degradation in high-power lasers

Author

(0000-0002-1919-8585) Bock, S., (0000-0003-3593-1609) Oksenhendler, T., (0000-0002-4738-6436) Püschel, T., Gebhardt, R., Helbig, U., (0000-0002-3727-7017) Ziegler, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0001-7990-9564) Pausch, R., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8143-0827) Nishiuchi, M., (0000-0001-8298-4442) Kiriyama, H., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., (0000-0002-1919-8585) Bock, S., (0000-0003-3593-1609) Oksenhendler, T., (0000-0002-4738-6436) Püschel, T., Gebhardt, R., Helbig, U., (0000-0002-3727-7017) Ziegler, T., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., (0000-0001-7990-9564) Pausch, R., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8143-0827) Nishiuchi, M., (0000-0001-8298-4442) Kiriyama, H., and (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U.

Abstract

The characteristics of high power lasers applied for relativistic plasma experiments are a matter of constant research and improvement for supporting highest possible performance. Especially the temporal contrast is crucial, while different mechanisms can lead to its degradation. One prominent effect is the non-linear B-integral induced pulse coupling from a post pulse generating a pre-pulse, generally described by Didenko, et.al. [1]. Recent measurements showed a more complex behavior with delayed pre-pulse generation and complex temporal shapes [2]. We applied an improved SRSI-ETE [3] setup to measure the non-linear pulse coupling at the DRACO Petawatt facility [4], revealing the spectral-temporal structure of the generated pulses. To assist the understanding of the observed non-linear effects a model was developed [5], covering the principle B-integral induced pulse generation, as well as the generation of the additional pulse structures, by means of non-resonant and resonant non-linear optical effects. The performed study allows a full understanding of the non-linear processes generating the pre-pulse and subsequent structures.

Published
2022

43. Energy-chirp compensation of laser-driven ion beams enabled by structured targets

Author

Gong, Z., Bulanov, S. S., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Arefiev, A., Gong, Z., Bulanov, S. S., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., and Arefiev, A.

Abstract

We show using three-dimensional (3D) simulations that the challenge of generating dense monoenergetic laser-driven ion beams with low angular divergence can be overcome by utilizing structured targets with a relativistically transparent channel and an overdense wall. In contrast to a uniform target that produces a chirped ion beam, the target structure facilitates the formation of a dense electron bunch whose longitudinal electric field reverses the energy chirp. This approach works in conjunction with existing acceleration mechanisms, augmenting the ion spectra. For example, our 3D simulations predict a significant improvement for a 2 PW laser pulse with a peak intensity of 5×1022 W/cm2. The simulations show a monoenergetic proton peak in a highly desirable energy range of 200 MeV with an unprecedented charge of several nC and a relatively low divergence that is below 10°.

Published
2022

44. Towards perfectly linearly polarized x-rays

Author

(0000-0002-3185-4469) Schulze, K. S., Grabiger, B., Loetzsch, R., Marx-Glowna, B., Schmitt, A. T., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Hippler, W., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., (0000-0003-2239-1789) Karbstein, F., Konôpková, Z., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., Schwinkendorf, J.-P., Strohm, C., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Uschmann, I., Wille, H.-C., Zastrau, U., Röhlsberger, R., Stöhlker, T., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Paulus, G. G., (0000-0002-3185-4469) Schulze, K. S., Grabiger, B., Loetzsch, R., Marx-Glowna, B., Schmitt, A. T., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Hippler, W., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., (0000-0003-2239-1789) Karbstein, F., Konôpková, Z., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., Schwinkendorf, J.-P., Strohm, C., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Uschmann, I., Wille, H.-C., Zastrau, U., Röhlsberger, R., Stöhlker, T., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., and Paulus, G. G.

Abstract

In recent years, high-precision x-ray polarimeters have become a key method for the investigation of fundamental physical questions from solid-state physics to quantum optics. Here, we report on the verification of a polarization purity of better than 8×10−11 at an x-ray free-electron laser, which implies a suppression of the incoming photons to the noise level in the crossed polarizer setting. This purity provides exceptional sensitivity to tiny polarization changes and offers intriguing perspectives for fundamental tests of quantum electrodynamics.

Published
2022

45. Dynamics of hot refluxing electrons in ultra-short relativistic laser foil interactions

Author

(0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Molodtsova, M., (0000-0002-6486-353X) Ferrari, A., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Molodtsova, M., (0000-0002-6486-353X) Ferrari, A., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., and (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T.

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of hot refluxing electrons in the interaction of an ultra-short relativistic laser pulse with a thin foil target via particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, that is governed by the multidimensional spatio-temporal evolution of self-generated sheath field. The comparison of time-integrated energy spectra of refluxing and escaping electrons indicates the refluxing efficiency is higher than 95\% in average for each bounce. The characteristics of wide transverse spatial distribution and energy-resolved angular distribution caused by the refluxing electrons show a direct correlation with the angular-dependent photon yield of Bremsstrahlung emission, as verified by the hybrid simulations of coupling the PIC results with Monte-Carlo particle transport code. We further clarify the energy dissipation mechanisms of refluxing electrons through the recirculation in the thin target under the electron-refluxing dominated regime, and conclude that the self-generated sheath field plays a dominant role over the competing processes such as the radiation loss, collisional stopping and anomalous inhibition via the resistive field. The lifetime of recirculation is calculated to be few hundred femtoseconds, that is one order of magnitude shorter than the time scale of collisional dissipation, while one order of magnitude longer than the laser pulse duration. The results could provide useful insight to understand the hot electron transport and stopping, secondary radiation generation and ion acceleration in the high energy density plasmas.

Published
2022

46. Combined Phase Contrast Imaging and Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Diagnostic of Relativistic Plasmas at the High Energy Density Instrument at European XFEL

Author

(0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Arefiev, A., Kemp, A., Allen, C. H., Bähtz, C., Nagler, B., Palmer, C. A. J., Murphy, C. D., Spindloe, C., Brown, C. R. D., Neely, D., (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D., Marley, E., Hartouni, E. P., Fiuza, F., Grim, G. P., Cochran, G. E., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Williams, J., Green, J., Eggert, J. H., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., Lancaster, K. L., Divol, L., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Schoelmerich, M., (0000-0001-6200-6406) Rehwald, M., Oliver, M., Rödel, M., Macdonald, M., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., Makita, M., Nakatsutsumi, M., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., Neumayer, P. B., Mabey, P., Shepherd, R. L., Gray, R., Wilks, S. C., Le Pape, S., Kerr, S. M., Glenzer, S. H., Funk, S., Gales, S. G., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., White, T. G., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., Doeppner, T., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zastrau, U., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., Ping, Y., He, Z., Höppner, H., Pelka, A., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., Arefiev, A., Kemp, A., Allen, C. H., Bähtz, C., Nagler, B., Palmer, C. A. J., Murphy, C. D., Spindloe, C., Brown, C. R. D., Neely, D., (0000-0002-6350-4180) Kraus, D., Marley, E., Hartouni, E. P., Fiuza, F., Grim, G. P., Cochran, G. E., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Williams, J., Green, J., Eggert, J. H., (0000-0003-3926-409X) Zeil, K., Lancaster, K. L., Divol, L., (0000-0002-6914-4083) Gaus, L., (0000-0003-1184-2097) Huang, L., Schoelmerich, M., (0000-0001-6200-6406) Rehwald, M., Oliver, M., Rödel, M., Macdonald, M., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., Makita, M., Nakatsutsumi, M., (0000-0001-6748-0422) Humphries, O. S., Neumayer, P. B., Mabey, P., Shepherd, R. L., Gray, R., Wilks, S. C., Le Pape, S., Kerr, S. M., Glenzer, S. H., Funk, S., Gales, S. G., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., White, T. G., (0000-0003-4861-5584) Kluge, T., Doeppner, T., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., Zastrau, U., (0000-0003-0390-7671) Schramm, U., Ping, Y., He, Z., Höppner, H., and Pelka, A.

Abstract

The High Energy Density (HED) instrument at the European XFEL provides a platform to study hot and warm dense matter. The Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HiBEF) is a User Consortium supplying HED with two laser systems (the high-intensity ReLaX laser, by Amplitude Technologies, and the high-energy Dipole-100X laser, by STFC), Diamond Anvil Cells setup and high-pulsed magnetic fields. These tools in combination with the XFEL beam enable the investigation of relativistic laser plasmas, strong-field QED phenomena, high-pressure astro- and planetary physics as well as magnetic phenomena in condensed matter. The successful commissioning of the ultra-short pulse high-intensity ReLaX laser, provides new unique opportunities in the plasma and high-field physics fields [1]. ReLaX is a double CPA Ti:Sa laser capable of delivering up to 300 TW pulses on target. In the first commissioning phase, 100 TW pulses were used, reaching intensities up to 1020 W/cm2. Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) without the need of a beamstop was first commissioned at HED in September 2019. Two highly annealed pyrolytic graphite (HAPG) crystals were used to reflect the SAXS photons onto a detector while allowing the main XFEL beam to go through [2]. In April and May 2021, Small Angle X-Ray Scattering and Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) were simultaneously demonstrated in pump-probe experiments at HED in a community experiment involving 15 institutions from all over the world. In this talk we will present the preliminary results of this community experiment probing ultrafast phenomena in a wide array of target configurations: hole boring in wires, shockwave generation in CH blocks, buried heating of a wire inside a CH medium, foam ionization and collective effects in heated foils. [1] A. Laso Garcia, H. Hoeppner, A. Pelka et al., “ReLaX: the HiBEF high-intensity short-pulse laser driver for relativistic laser-matter interaction and strong-field science at the HED instrument at Eu

Published
2022

47. Towards High-Field Experiments in Existing and Upcoming Laser Facilities

Author

(0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Rinderknecht, H. G., Wei, M. S., Bruhaug, G., Arefiev, A., Wang, T., Doria, D., Crăciun, V., Ghenuche, P., Năstasă, V., Cernăianu, M., Dreghici, D.-B., Talposi, A.-M., Quevedo, H., Ditmire, T., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., Rinderknecht, H. G., Wei, M. S., Bruhaug, G., Arefiev, A., Wang, T., Doria, D., Crăciun, V., Ghenuche, P., Năstasă, V., Cernăianu, M., Dreghici, D.-B., Talposi, A.-M., Quevedo, H., Ditmire, T., (0000-0003-4400-1315) Schlenvoigt, H.-P., (0000-0002-7162-7500) Smid, M., and (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T.

Abstract

The Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields is a user consortium providing drivers for high-energy density and high-field science at the HED station of EuXFEL. This presentation will give an overview of the current implementation and commissioning results as well as future plans and exemplary science cases. In parallel, new exciting opportunities for high-field science are opening with the first user call at the ELI facilities. Here, we will discuss first results on Megatesla magnetic field generation in overdense plasmas. We will also discuss future plans to exploit the high intensities, up to 10 PW, to be delivered at ELI-NP.

Published
2022

48. Foam Targets as Extreme Magnetic Field Drivers

Author

(0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Rinderknecht, H. G., Wei, M. S., Bruhaug, G., Arefiev, A., Wang, T., Doria, D., Crăciun, V., Ghenuche, P., Năstasă, V., (0000-0002-7671-0901) Laso García, A., (0000-0001-7986-3631) Toncian, T., (0000-0001-8530-7746) Habibi, M., (0000-0003-0931-1350) Prencipe, I., (0000-0002-5845-000X) Cowan, T., Rinderknecht, H. G., Wei, M. S., Bruhaug, G., Arefiev, A., Wang, T., Doria, D., Crăciun, V., Ghenuche, P., and Năstasă, V.

Abstract

Structured foam targets are of great interest for the laser-plasma community. Recent studies have shown how low density foams could be used to generate extreme magnetic fields in the MegaTesla range. A result of the interaction of the fields with the accelerated electrons in the foam is a large increase in the electron kinetic energy, and the generation of bright flashes of synchrotron radiation in the MeV range. In this talk we introduce experimental results obtained at HED/HiBEF at the European XFEL on the structural changes and homogenization of the foam during the laser interaction. Then we will show results on synchrotron emission at Texas Petawatt. Finally we will provide an overview of our roadmap towards implementing foam experiments at the 10 PW level at ELI-NP

Published
2022

50. Commissioning and First User Experiments with ReLaX and XFEL Beam

Author

Laso García, A., Arefiev, A., Kemp, A., Allen, C. H., Bähtz, C., Nagler, B., Palmer, C. A. J., Murphy, C. D., Spindloe, C., Brown, C. R. D., Neely, D., Kraus, D., Marley, E., Hartouni, E. P., Fiuza, F., Grim, G. P., Cochran, G. E., Schlenvoigt, H.-P., Prencipe, I., Williams, J., Green, J., Eggert, J. H., Zeil, K., Lancaster, K. L., Divol, L., Gaus, L., Huang, L., Schoelmerich, M., Rehwald, M., Oliver, M., Rödel, M., Macdonald, M., Smid, M., Makita, M., Nakatsutsumi, M., Humphries, O. S., Neumayer, P. B., Mabey, P., Shepherd, R. L., Gray, R., Wilks, S. C., Le Pape, S., Kerr, S. M., Glenzer, S. H., Funk, S., Gales, S. G., Cowan, T., White, T. G., Kluge, T., Doeppner, T., Toncian, T., Zastrau, U., Schramm, U., Ping, Y., He, Z., Höppner, H., and Pelka, A.

Subjects
XFEL, PCI, SAXS, Laser-plasma, HiBEF
Abstract

In this presentation we provide an overview of the commissioning and first user experiment of ReLaX in combination with the XFEL beam. We will introduce the setup and laser parameters. We will show the established standard setup combining small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), phase-contrast imaging (PCI) and spectroscopy techniques. Finally we will show examples of the data obtained in the interaction of the ReLaX laser with targets of interested for the short-pulse laser community.

Published
2022

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results