A bright laser-driven X-ray and particle source based on micro-structured silicon targets

ORAL

Abstract

We report on the first use of micro-structured targets with highly light absorbing properties in high power laser-plasma science. Spectral and spatial investigation of reflectance, X-ray generation, electron and ion acceleration in the experiment demonstrate the performance of the novel, robust targets. Using high contrast lasers on micro-structured silicon targets we demonstrate a significant increase in electron, ion and X-ray yield compared to flat foil targets. The micro-structured surface decreases reflection losses from the interaction area significantly, while an increased brilliance in X-ray radiation is measured. In addition, while a boost in the particle flux is observed, the mean ion and electron temperatures are comparable between the two target types. Employing the strong performance of the source we present here, the impact of further investigations of micro-structured silicon targets to the field of versatile and powerful laser-driven particle and X-ray sources is motivated.

*This project was supported by the DFG Excellence Initiative, Darmstadt Graduate School of Excellence Energy Science and Engineering (GSC 1070). P.McK and D.N. acknowledge funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (grant numbers EP/R006201/1, EP/K022415/1)

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Presenters

  • Markus Roth

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
    • TU Darmstadt

Authors

  • Markus Roth

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
    • TU Darmstadt

  • Nico W. Neumann

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • Leonard N.K. Döhl

    • York Plasma Insitute, University of York, Heslington YO10 OX11 0QX, UK

  • Jonathan Jarrett

    • Department of physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK

  • Christopher Baird

    • York Plasma Insitute, University of York, Heslington YO10 OX11 0QX, UK

  • Tina Ebert

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • Robert Heathcote

    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK

  • Markus Hesse

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • Aasia Hughes

    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK

  • Paul McKenna

    • Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK
    • Department of physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK
    • Univ. of Strathclyde

  • David Neely

    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK, Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK
    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK, Department of physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK
    • CLF, STFC Rutherford
    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council

  • Dean Rusby

    • Department of physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 ONG, UK

  • Christopher Spindloe

    • Central Laser Facility
    • Central Laser Facility, Science and Technology Facility Council, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK
    • CLF, STFC Rutherford

  • Gabriel Schauman

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • Alexandra Tebartz

    • Institute for Nuclear Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • Nigel Woolsey

    • York Plasma Insitute, University of York, Heslington YO10 OX11 0QX, UK
    • University of York