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Title: Bremsstrahlung and K(alpha) fluorescence measurements for inferring conversion efficiencies into fast ignition relevant hot electrons

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
OSTI ID:967737

The Bremsstrahlung and K-shell emission from 1 mm x 1 mm x 1 mm planar targets irradiated by a short-pulse 3 x 10{sup 18}-8 x 10{sup 19} W/cm{sup 2} laser were measured. The Bremsstrahlung was measured using a filter stack spectrometer with spectral discrimination up to 500 keV. K-shell emission was measured using a single photon counting charge coupled device (CCD). From Monte Carlo modeling of the target emission, conversion efficiencies into 1-3 MeV electrons of 3-12%, representing 20-40% total conversion efficiencies were inferred for intensities up to 8 x 10{sup 19} W/cm{sup 2}. Comparisons to scaling laws using synthetic energy spectra generated from the intensity distribution of the focal spot imply slope temperatures less than the ponderomotive potential of the laser. Resistive transport effects may result in potentials of a few hundred kV in the first few tens of microns in the target. This would lead to higher total conversion efficiencies than inferred from Monte Carlo modeling but lower conversion efficiencies into 1-3 MeV electrons.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
967737
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-415191; PHPAEN; TRN: US0904538
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 16; ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English