Annual Scientific Report for DE-FG03-02NA00063 Coherent imaging of laser-plasma interactions using XUV high harmonic radiation

Technical Report · Tue May 03 04:00:00 EDT 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/839546· OSTI ID:839546

Kapteyn, Henry C ^[1]

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1. University of Colorado - JILA

In this project, we use coherent short-wavelength light generated using high-order harmonic generation as a probe of laser-plasma dynamics and phase transitions on femtosecond time-scales. The interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with materials and plasmas is relevant to stockpile stewardship, to understanding the equation of state of matter at high pressures and temperatures, and to plasma concepts such as the fast-ignitor ICF fusion concept and laser-based particle acceleration. Femtosecond laser technology makes it possible to use a small-scale setup to generate 20fs pulses with average power >10W at multiple kHz repetition rates, that can be focused to intensities in excess of 1017W/cm2. These lasers can be used either to rapidly heat materials to initiate phase transitions, or to create laser plasmas over a wide parameter space. These lasers can also be used to generate fully spatially coherent XUV beams with which to probe these materials and plasma systems. We are in process of implementing imaging studies of plasma hydrodynamics and warm, dense matter. The data will be compared with simulation codes of laser-plasma interactions, making it possible to refine and validate these codes.

• Research Organization: University of Colorado
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-02NA00063
• OSTI ID: 839546
• Report Number(s): DOE/NA00063/2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATION
HARMONIC GENERATION
HARMONICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LASERS
PLASMA
PROBES
RADIATIONS
SIMULATION
STOCKPILES
extreme ultraviolet
high energy density
laser plasma