Broad energy spectrum of laser-accelerated protons for spallation-related physics
Physical Review Letters 94:8 (2005)
Abstract:
A beam of MeV protons, accelerated by ultraintense laser-pulse interactions with a thin target foil, is used to investigate nuclear reactions of interest for spallation physics. The laser-generated proton beam is shown (protons were measured) to have a broad energy distribution, which closely resembles the expected energy spectrum of evaporative protons (below 50 MeV) produced in GeV-proton-induced spallation reactions. The protons are used to quantify the distribution of residual radioisotopes produced in a representative spallation target (Pb), and the results are compared with calculated predictions based on spectra modeled with nuclear Monte Carlo codes. Laser-plasma particle accelerators are shown to provide data relevant to the design and development of accelerator driven systems. © 2005 The American Physical Society.Intensity limits for propagation of 0.527 microm laser beams through large-scale-length plasmas for inertial confinement fusion.
Phys Rev Lett 94:8 (2005) 085005
Abstract:
We have established the intensity limits for propagation of a frequency-doubled (2omega, 527 nm) high intensity interaction beam through an underdense large-scale-length plasma. We observe good beam transmission at laser intensities at or below 2x10(14) W/cm(2) and a strong reduction at intensities up to 10(15) W/cm(2) due to the onset of parametric scattering instabilities. We show that temporal beam smoothing by spectral dispersion allows a factor of 2 higher intensities while keeping the beam spray constant, which establishes frequency-doubled light as an option for ignition and burn in inertial confinement fusion experiments.Erratum: K α fluorescence measurement of relativistic electron transport in the context of fast ignition (Physical Review E (2004) 69 (066414))
Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics 71:3 (2005)
Vulcan petawatt: Design, operation and interactions at 5 × 10 20Wcm-2
Laser and Particle Beams 23:1 (2005) 87-93
Abstract:
The Vulcan Nd:glass laser at the Central Laser Facility (CLF) is a petawatt (1015 Watts) interaction facility, designed to deliver irradiance on target of 1021W.cm-2 for the UK and international user community. The facility came online to users in 2002 and considerable experience has been gained operating Vulcan in this mode. The facility delivers a wide-ranging experimental program in fundamental physics and advanced applications. This includes the interaction of ultrahigh intensity light with matter, fast ignition fusion research, photon induced nuclear reactions, electron and ion acceleration by light waves, and the exploration of the exotic world of plasma physics dominated by relativity. We report on the first year's operation of the facility and the highlights of the experimental campaigns. Copyright © 2005 Cambridae University Press.Electron impact excitation of Al XIII: A relativistic approach*
Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences 432:3 (2005) 1151-1155