Target surface area effects on hot electron dynamics from high intensity laser–plasma interactions

Journal Article · 01 June 2016 · New Journal of Physics

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/6/063020 · OSTI ID:1257285

Zulick, C.; Raymond, A.; McKelvey, A.; Chvykov, V.; Maksimchuk, A.; Thomas, A. G. R.; Willingale, L.; Yanovsky, V.; Krushelnick, K.

Reduced surface area targets were studied using an ultra-high intensity femtosecond laser in order to determine the effect of electron sheath field confinement on electron dynamics. X-ray emission due to energetic electrons was imaged using a K_α imaging crystal. Electrons were observed to travel along the surface of wire targets, and were slowed mainly by the induced fields. Targets with reduced surface areas were correlated with increased hot electron densities and proton energies. Furthermore, Hybrid Vlasov–Fokker–Planck simulations demonstrated increased electric sheath field strength in reduced surface area targets.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0002372
• OSTI ID: 1257285
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1257287; OSTI ID: 1299137
• Journal Information: New Journal of Physics, Journal Name: New Journal of Physics Vol. 18 Journal Issue: 6; ISSN 1367-2630
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English