Prof Peter Norreys FInstP;

Abstract:

A variety of targets with different dimensions and materials was irradiated using the VULCAN PW laser [C. N. Danson, Nucl. Fusion 44, S239 (2004)]. Using transverse optical shadowgraphy in conjunction with a one-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics code it was possible to determine a longitudinal temperature gradient. It was demonstrated for thick targets with a low Z substrate and a thin higher Z tracer layer at the rear that the boundary between the two materials was Rayleigh-Taylor unstable. By including a simple bubble growth model into the calculations it was possible to correct for the associated behavior with regard to temperature. The resulting temperature gradient was in good agreement with the previously published data using two different methods of determining the temperature. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

As the state of the art for high power laser systems increases from terawatt to petawatt level and beyond, a crucial parameter for routinely monitoring high intensity performance is laser spot size on a solid target during an intense interaction in the tight focus regime (<10m). Here we present a novel, simple technique for characterizing the spatial profile of such a laser focal spot by imaging the interaction region in third harmonic order (3laser). Nearly linear intensity dependence of 3laser generation for interactions >1019Wcm2 is demonstrated experimentally and shown to provide the basis for an effective focus diagnostic. Importantly, this technique is also shown to allow in-situ diagnosis of focal spot quality achieved after reflection from a double plasma mirror setup for very intense high contrast interactions (>1020Wcm2) an important application for the field of high laser contrast interaction science. © Cambridge University Press 2009.

Abstract:

A review is presented here of a number of invited papers presented at the 2008 American Physical Society April meeting [held jointly with High Energy Density Physics/High Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics (HEDP/HEDLA) Conference] devoted to intense laser-matter interactions. They include new insights gained from wave-kinetic theory into laser-wakefield accelerators and drift wave turbulence interacting with zonal flows in magnetized plasmas; interactions with cluster media for the generation of radiative blast waves; fast electron energy transport in cone-wire targets; numerical investigations into Weibel instability in electron-positron-ion plasmas and the generation of gigabar pressures with thin foil interactions. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

The development of new laser systems based on OPCPA will push Laser Wakefield Accelerators (LWFA) to a qualitatively new energy range. As in the past, numerical simulations will play a critical role in testing, probing and optimizing the physical parameters and setup of these upscale experiments. Based on the prospective design parameters for the future Vulcan 10 PW OPCPA laser system, we have determined the optimal parameters for a single LWFA stage from theoretical scalings for such system, which predict accelerations to the energy frontier, with self-injected electrons in excess of 10 GeV for a self-guided configuration, and above 50 GeV bunches with externally-injected electrons in a laser-guided configuration. These parameters were then used as a baseline for 3D full scale simulations with OSIRIS and QuickPIC. A 12 GeV self-injected beam was obtained with both codes, in agreement with theoretical predictions for the maximum energy gain and the injected charge. Preliminary results on the laser-guided configuration already confirm the accelerating gradients and the stability of the laser guided propagation for long distances required to reach the higher energies predicted by the theoretical scalings for this scenario. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.