Laboratory astroparticle physics

Abstract:

This roadmap presents the state-of-the-art, current challenges and near future developments anticipated in the thriving field of warm dense matter (WDM) physics. Originating from strongly coupled plasma physics, high pressure physics and high energy density science, the WDM physics community has recently taken a giant leap forward. This is due to spectacular developments in laser technology, diagnostic capabilities, and computer simulation techniques. Only in the last decade has it become possible to perform accurate enough simulations & experiments to truly verify theoretical results as well as to reliably design experiments based on predictions. Consequently, this roadmap discusses recent developments of and contemporary challenges for theoretical methods and experimental techniques needed to describe, create and diagnose WDM. A large part of this roadmap is dedicated to specific WDM systems and applications in astrophysics, inertial confinement fusion and novel material synthesis.

Abstract:

Oxygen and other light elements comprise up to 5 wt% of the Earth’s outer-core, and may significantly influence its physical properties and the operation of the geodynamo. Here we report in situ X-ray diffraction measurements of Fe, Fe + 4.5 FeO (atomic proportion), and Fe2O3 melts at 177-440 GPa, achieved using laser-driven shock compression at an x-ray free-electron laser. The melts exhibit Fe-O coordination numbers between 4.0(0.4) and 4.5(0.4), indicating predominantly four-fold coordination environments. These coordination states are significantly smaller than those of Fe-bearing lower-mantle phases such as bridgmanite and ferropericlase. Shorter Fe-Fe interatomic distances in compressed iron oxide melts drive the denser packing relative to ambient melts, while the structural differences between Fe + 4.5 FeO and Fe2O3 melts under shock indicate that the oxidation state modulates oxygen solubility in liquid Fe. At 177 GPa ( ~ 380 km below the core-mantle boundary) and 3800 K, Fe2O3 melts exhibit higher Fe-O coordination, suggesting that local variations in oxygen content could contribute to the stratification in the uppermost outer-core inferred from seismological and geomagnetic observations.

Abstract:

Using fully kinetic particle-in-cell simulations, we investigate the stability and performance of autoresonant plasma beat-wave excitation in plasmas with tailored density profiles. We show that a prescribed spatial variation of the background density sustains continuous phase locking between the driving laser beat and the excited plasma mode, thereby enabling precise control of the shape and group velocity of the plasma wavepacket and providing an alternative to frequency chirping of the drive lasers. The density-gradient scale is found to govern the nonlinear autoresonant growth, and the attainable saturation amplitude can exceed the classical Rosenbluth–Liu prediction and, for appropriate laser intensities, approach the nonrelativistic wave-breaking limit. We show that a four-laser configuration in a steep parabolic density profile can generate a specially confined two-phase quasi-periodic plasma lattice. The generation of such structures may lead to novel applications in plasma photonics.

Abstract:

Strong magnetic fields and plasmas are intrinsically linked in both terrestrial laboratory experiments and in space phenomena. One of the most profound consequences of that is the change in relationship between the frequency and the wave number of electromagnetic waves propagating in plasma in the presence of such magnetic fields when compared to the case without these fields. Furthermore, magnetic fields alter electromagnetic wave interaction with relativistic plasma waves, resulting in different outcomes for particle and radiation generation. For a relativistic plasma wave-based photon acceleration this leads to an increased frequency gain and, thus, potentially to higher efficiency. The influence of a magnetic field leads to quantitative and qualitative change in the properties of photon acceleration, amplifying the increase in the electromagnetic wave frequency.

Abstract:

Electron-ion equilibration dynamics in samples driven into superheated states with multi-eV electron temperatures represent a fundamental process in nonequilibrium physics. A clear picture of the evolving ion temperature is essential for understanding the strength of the electron-ion coupling. However, direct, model-independent measurements of the ion temperature in laser-irradiated samples have remained experimentally elusive. Using inelastic X-ray scattering with meV-resolution in gold samples, the ion response to ultrafast heating by the hot electrons can be resolved, quantifying the electron-ion equilibration dynamics. We report measurements revealing a strongly enhanced energy transfer rate compared to that in weakly excited gold. Moreover, we obtain a quasi-constant electron-ion coupling at the highly elevated electron temperatures. These results place new constraints on electron-ion energy transfer in warm dense matter and establish a path toward quantitative benchmarking of models for nonequilibrium dynamics.