High-power, kilojoule class laser channeling in millimeter-scale underdense plasma

Physical Review Letters 106:10 (2011)

Authors:

L Willingale, PM Nilson, AGR Thomas, J Cobble, RS Craxton, A Maksimchuk, PA Norreys, TC Sangster, RHH Scott, C Stoeckl, C Zulick, K Krushelnick

Abstract:

Experiments were performed using the Omega EP laser, operating at 740 J of energy in 8 ps (90 TW), which provides extreme conditions relevant to fast ignition studies. A carbon and hydrogen plasma plume was used as the underdense target and the interaction of the laser pulse propagating and channeling through the plasma was imaged using proton radiography. The early time expansion, channel evolution, filamentation, and self-correction of the channel was measured on a single shot via this method. A channel wall modulation was observed and attributed to surface waves. After around 50 ps, the channel had evolved to show bubblelike structures, which may be due to postsoliton remnants. © 2011 American Physical Society.

Particle acceleration: Pushing protons with photons

Nature Photonics 5:3 (2011) 134-135

Reply to "Comment on 'Free-free opacity in warm-dense aluminum'"

High Energy Density Physics 7:1 (2011) 40-42

Authors:

SM Vinko, G Gregori, JS Wark

Abstract:

We reply to the comment by Iglesias [HEDP, XXX] regarding our implementation of a solid-state pseudopotential in a model for the calculation of the free--free opacity in warm-dense aluminum [HEDP 5(2009), 124-131]. Some further details are given describing the method used to determine the adjustable parameter in the pseudopotential and several important limitations are discussed. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Observation of K‐Shell Soft X Ray Emission of Nitrogen Irradiated by XUV‐Free Electron Laser FLASH at Intensities Greater than 1016 W/cm2

Contributions to Plasma Physics Wiley 51:2‐3 (2011) 284-287

Authors:

E Galtier, FB Rosmej, O Renner, L Juha, J Chalupsky, J‐C Gauthier, S White, D Riley, S Vinko, T Witcher, J Wark, B Nagler, RW Lee, AJ Nelson, S Toleikis

Production of picosecond, kilojoule, petawatt laser pulses via Raman amplification of nanosecond pulses

(2011)

Authors:

R Trines, F Fiuza, R Bingham, RA Fonseca, LO Silva, RA Cairns, PA Norreys