Investigation of relativistic intensity laser generated hot electron dynamics via copper K{sub α} imaging and proton acceleration
- Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (United States)
- University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States)
- General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121 (United States)
Simultaneous experimental measurements of copper K{sub α} imaging and the maximum target normal sheath acceleration proton energies from the rear target surface are compared for various target thicknesses. For the T-cubed laser (≈4 J, 400 fs) at an intensity of ≈2 × 10{sup 19} W cm{sup −2}, the hot electron divergence is determined to be θ{sub HWHM}≈22{sup °} using a K{sub α} imaging diagnostic. The maximum proton energies are measured to follow the expected reduction with increasing target thickness. Numerical modeling produces copper K{sub α} trends for both signal level and electron beam divergence that are in good agreement with the experiment. A geometric model describing the electron beam divergence reproduces the maximum proton energy trends observed from the experiment and the fast electron density and the peak electric field observed in the numerical modeling.
- OSTI ID:
- 22218367
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 20, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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