Proposed Strong Field Ionization Experiments on the Texas Petawatt Laser

POSTER

Abstract

We present experimental plans for studying strong-field ionization of noble gas atoms on the Texas Petawatt Laser at intensity exceeding $10^{20}$ W/cm$^{2}$. We propose indirect measurement of the K-shell ionization yields by using plastic scintillators to detect the high-energy ATI electrons produced by these ionization events. A new f/1.4 focal geometry we are commissioning on the Texas Petawatt will allow peak intensity exceeding $10^{20}$ W/cm$^{2}$ on rod amplifier shots and $3 \times 10^{21}$ W/cm$^{2}$ for full-energy system shots, enabling the exploration of neon and argon K-shell ionization. The methods we propose should be scalable to intensity beyond $10^{21}$ W/cm$^{2}$, an intensity regime where ponderomotive scattering of ions from the focus will complicate direct measurements of the ion charge state yields by ion time-of-flight.

Authors

  • Andrew Yandow

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Herbie Smith

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Constantin Aniculaesei

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Hernan Quevedo

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Michael Spinks

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Sandra Bruce

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • MacKenzie Darilek

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Erhard Gaul

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Michael Donovan

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Bjorn Manuel Hegelich

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Todd Ditmire

    • UT Austin
    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin
    • University of Texas at Austin