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Title: Development of an in situ peak intensity measurement method for ultraintense single shot laser-plasma experiments at the Sandia Z petawatt facility

Journal Article · · Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2336469· OSTI ID:20861259

Using the physical process of ultraintense field ionization of high charge states of inert gas ions, we have developed a method of peak intensity measurement at the focus of high energy short pulse lasers operating in single shot mode. The technique involves detecting ionization products created from a low pressure gas target at the laser focus via time of flight detector. The observation of high ion charge states collected by the detector yields peak intensity at the focus when compared with the results obtained from well established tunnel ionization models. An initial peak intensity measurement of 5x10{sup 16} W cm{sup -2} was obtained for a 1.053 {mu}m center wavelength, 0.4 J pulse with 1 ps pulse duration focused with an f/5.5 off-axis parabola. Experiments with multijoule level, 500 fs laser pulses are on the way.

OSTI ID:
20861259
Journal Information:
Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 77, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2336469; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English