Dynamics of laser-driven positron beam focusing

ORAL

Abstract

Positron beams driven by direct laser plasma interaction are appealing for their possibility to provide astrophysics relevant conditions. To achieve required conditions, production of high-density positron jets is necessary. Here, we report dynamics of laser-driven positron beam focusing, resulting in high positron beam density by using a spherically curved target surface. Numerical modeling using the hybrid-PIC code shows positron acceleration by electric sheath field on the target surface at target normal direction resulting in ~x5 increase in local positron density for the curved target compared to the flat target case. It is also seen that additional structures attached on a target effectively change positron dynamics giving a further focusing effect. Detailed simulation results including field evolution and beam characteristics will be presented.

*This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, and funded by LDRD (#17-ERD-010).

Presenters

  • Joohwan Kim

    • Univ of California - San Diego

Authors

  • Joohwan Kim

    • Univ of California - San Diego
  • Hui Chen

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • Anthony J. Link

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
  • Shaun Kerr

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
  • Gerald J Williams

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • Farhat N Beg

    • Univ of California - San Diego
    • Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego
    • UC San Diego
    • University of California, San Diego