Transport of an intense proton beam from a cone-structured target through plastic foam with unique proton source modeling
[1];
[2];
[6];
- Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States)
- Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States); General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
- Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
- Technische Univ. Darmstadt (Germany)
- General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Laser-accelerated proton beams are applicable to several research areas within high-energy density science, including warm dense matter generation, proton radiography, and inertial confinement fusion, which all involve transport of the beam through matter. Here, we report on experimental measurements of intense proton beam transport through plastic foam blocks. The intense proton beam was accelerated by the 10 ps, 700 $$\textit{J}$$ OMEGA EP laser irradiating a curved foil target, and focused by an attached hollow cone. The protons then entered the foam block of density 0.38 g/cm3 and thickness 0.55 or 1.00 mm. At the rear of the foam block, a Cu layer revealed the cross section of the intense beam via proton- and hot electron-induced Cu-Kα emission. Images of x-ray emission show a bright spot on the rear Cu film indicative of a forward-directed beam without major breakup. 2D fluid-PIC simulations of the transport were conducted using a unique multi-injection source model incorporating energy-dependent beam divergence. Along with postprocessed calculations of the Cu – $$K_α$$ emission profile, simulations showed that protons retain their ballistic transport through the foam and are able to heat the foam up to several keV in temperature. The total experimental emission profile for the 1.0 mm foam agrees qualitatively with the simulated profile, suggesting that the protons indeed retain their beamlike qualities.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344; NA0002034; NA0003876
- OSTI ID:
- 1879266
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-838202; 1057815
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. E, Journal Name: Physical Review. E Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 105; ISSN 2470-0045
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Laser beam-profile impression and target thickness impact on laser-accelerated protons
Characterization of High-Intensity Laser Propagation in the Relativistic Transparent Regime through Measurements of Energetic Proton Beams