Enhancements Using Compound Parabolic Concentrators For Hot-Electron and Proton Acceleration

ORAL

Abstract

The peak on-target laser intensity is a key parameter for applications such as laser driven particle acceleration and x-ray sources. We have tested Compound Parabolic Concentrator [1] (CPC) targets which act as a non-imaging focusing optic. We demonstrate experimental measurements [2] collected at Texas Petawatt laser facility that show a hot-electron temperature enhancement of approximately a factor of 9 from the CPC target when compared to planar target. Using PIC simulations, we describe this hot-electron enhancement from a purely geometric intensity enhancement and existing temperature-intensity scaling laws. Using the CPC geometry, enhancements in proton acceleration and maximum proton acceleration are predicted due to the increase in electron temperature and reduction in electron source size.

[1] MacPhee et al., “Enhanced laser-plasma interactions using non-imaging optical concentrator targets,” Optica, vol. 7 issue 1 (2020).

[2] Rusby et al., “Enhancements in laser-generated hot-electron production via focusing cone targets at short pulse and high contrast,” PRE 103, 053207 (2021)

*This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344 and funded by the LLNL LDRD program under tracking code 19-SI-002. The experimental Time was granted by LaserNetUS.

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Publication: Rusby et al., "Enhancements in laser-generated hot-electron production via focusing cone targets at short pulse and high contrast," PRE 103, 053207 (2021)

Presenters

  • Dean R Rusby

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Authors

  • Dean R Rusby

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab

  • Andrew J Mackinnon

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Andrew G MacPhee

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • LLNL

  • Tammy Ma

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Derek Mariscal

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Andreas J Kemp

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Scott Wilks

    • LLNL
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Mario J Manuel

    • General Atomics - San Diego

  • Shaun M Kerr

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Ginevra E Cochran

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Jackson J Williams

    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory