Computational modeling of proton acceleration with multi-picosecond and high energy, kilojoule, lasers
- Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Here, we use computational modeling to investigate proton beam generation from kilojoule, multi-picosecond laser pulses pertinent to several recently commissioned, large-scale laser facilities. The dependencies of proton acceleration on electron source parameters including pulse duration, temperature, and flux are independently and systematically evaluated. Proton acceleration is found to depend not only on the source size and peak temperature of the injected electrons but also on the rate of increase for a more physical time-varying temperature. Simulations of a 10 ps, sub-relativistic intensity (8 × 1017 W/cm2) at 1 μm wavelength laser pulse show that energetic electrons generated within the expanding under-dense laser-produced plasma sustain the proton acceleration for ~20 ps. This results in 15 MeV energy gain of the protons, well above what would be predicted based on conventional intensity scalings or what has been observed with shorter pulses. Using this prolonged acceleration, a scheme consisting of a 1 ps and 10 ps double pulse is shown to further boost proton maximum energy.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344; 17-ERD-039
- OSTI ID:
- 1718995
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1463935
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-750501; 935732; TRN: US2204816
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 25, Issue 8; ISSN 1070-664X
- Publisher:
- American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
High-angle Deflection of the Energetic Electrons by a Voluminous Magnetic Structure in Near-normal Intense Laser-plasma Interactions | text | January 2018 |
Proton beam emittance growth in multipicosecond laser-solid interactions
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journal | October 2019 |
Plasma expansion accompanying superthermal electrons in over-picosecond relativistic laser-foil interactions
|
journal | October 2019 |
First demonstration of ARC-accelerated proton beams at the National Ignition Facility
|
journal | April 2019 |
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