Laboratory astroparticle physics

Abstract:

A high-energy, ultraviolet Thomson scattering probe beam has been implemented on the Omega laser facility at the University of Rochester. The new probe operates at a wavelength of 264 nm, with a maximum energy of 260 J in a pulse length of 1 ns. The probe is focused with an F/6.7 lens to a minimum focal spot of 40 mum within a pointing tolerance of <50 mum. Data obtained from this probe beam have provided new diagnostic information on plasmas relevant for inertial confinement fusion and atomic physics studies. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

We have studied the focusing properties of two highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) spectrometers, which differ in the degree of the mosaic spread: ZYA with a low mosaic spread (gamma=0.4degrees) and ZYH with a large mosaic spread (gamma=3.5degrees). In order to asses the crystal performance for a variety of different experiments, various Kalpha and Kbeta x-ray lines have been produced using a high-intensity (greater than or similar to10(17) W/cm(2)) short-pulse (similar to100 fs) laser beam focused onto Ti, V, Zn, and Cu foils. The measured spectral resolution of the HOPG crystals in both first and second order diffraction has been compared with theoretical predictions. Using known values for the peak reflectivity of HOPG crystals, we have also computed Kalpha x-ray conversion efficiencies of Ti, V, Zn, and Cu. These results are important to estimate the optimal conditions under which different types of HOPG monochromators can be used for the detection of weak x-ray signals as the one encountered in x-ray Thomson/Compton scattering experiments. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

We present the first direct experimental observation of the parametric two-ion decay instability of ion-acoustic waves driven by a high intensity (5 x 10(15) W cm(-2)) laser beam in a laser produced high-Z plasma. Using two separate Thomson scattering diagnostics simultaneously, we directly measure the scattering from thermal ion-acoustic fluctuations, the primary ion waves that are driven to large amplitudes by the high intensity beam, and the two-ion decay products. The decay products are shown to be present only where the interaction takes place and their k spectrum is broad.

Abstract:

The measurement of the saturation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) by an ion-trapping-induced frequency shift was investigated. It was achieved by directly measuring the amplitude and absolute frequency of SBS-driven ion-acoustic waves (IAW). A frequency of up to 30% was observed along with a saturation of driven SBS and IAW reflectivity. The fast 30 ps oscillations of the SBS-driven IAW amplitude induced by the frequency shift were also measured.

Abstract:

We report the first measurement of the saturation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) by an ion-trapping-induced frequency shift, which was achieved by directly measuring the amplitude and absolute frequency of SBS-driven ion-acoustic waves (IAW). A frequency shift of up to 30% and a simultaneous saturation of driven IAW and SBS reflectivity were observed. The scaling of the frequency shift with the IAW amplitude compares well with theoretical calculations. We have further measured fast 30 ps oscillations of the SBS-driven IAW amplitude induced by the frequency shift.