Physics of giant electromagnetic pulse generation in short-pulse laser experiments

Poyé, A.; Hulin, S.; Bailly-Grandvaux, M.; Dubois, J. L.; Ribolzi, J.; Raffestin, D.; Bardon, M.; Lubrano-Lavaderci, F.; d’Humières, E.; Santos, J. J.; Nicolaï, Ph.; Tikhonchuk, V. T.

doi:10.1103/physreve.91.043106

Cited by 114 publications

(123 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The primary mechanism responsible for generating such high electromagnetic fields in a laser-plasma interaction is typically attributed to ejection of a large flux of energetic ‘hot’ electrons from the plasma followed by a transient ‘slow’ electron return current through the target mount to re-establish quasi-neutrality in the plasma 10, 11, 13, 21 . EMP can be extremely problematic in high-power laser experiments, as EMP signals lasting for hundreds of nanoseconds often adversely affect nearby electronic systems, possibly resulting in loss of data or even permanent damage to high-value equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-noise time-resolved optical sensing of electromagnetic pulses from petawatt laser-matter interactions

Robinson

Consoli²,

Giltrap

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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We report on the development and deployment of an optical diagnostic for single-shot measurement of the electric-field components of electromagnetic pulses from high-intensity laser-matter interactions in a high-noise environment. The electro-optic Pockels effect in KDP crystals was used to measure transient electric fields using a geometry easily modifiable for magnetic field detection via Faraday rotation. Using dielectric sensors and an optical fibre-based readout ensures minimal field perturbations compared to conductive probes and greatly limits unwanted electrical pickup between probe and recording system. The device was tested at the Vulcan Petawatt facility with 1020 W cm−2 peak intensities, the first time such a diagnostic has been used in this regime. The probe crystals were located ~1.25 m from target and did not require direct view of the source plasma. The measured signals compare favourably with previously reported studies from Vulcan, in terms of the maximum measured intra-crystal field of 10.9 kV/m, signal duration and detected frequency content which was found to match the interaction chamber’s horizontal-plane fundamental harmonics of 76 and 101 MHz. Methods for improving the diagnostic for future use are also discussed in detail. Orthogonal optical probes offer a low-noise alternative for direct simultaneous measurement of each vector field component.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-noise time-resolved optical sensing of electromagnetic pulses from petawatt laser-matter interactions

Robinson

Consoli²,

Giltrap

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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show abstract

“…The ultra-short EM pulses with peak electric field of the order of 10 9 V m −1 , are generated following the rapid charging of the laser-irradiated target to MV potential, due to the prompt escape of the high energy (MeV) electrons produced during the interaction [2,13,19] . The EM pulse was observed propagating along a thin metallic wire attached to the main foil target.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proton probing of laser-driven EM pulses travelling in helical coils

Ahmed

Kar

Giesecke

et al. 2017

High Pow Laser Sci Eng

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The ultrafast charge dynamics following the interaction of an ultra-intense laser pulse with a foil target leads to the launch of an ultra-short, intense electromagnetic (EM) pulse along a wire connected to the target. Due to the strong electric field (of the order of GV m −1 ) associated to such laser-driven EM pulses, these can be exploited in a travelling-wave helical geometry for controlling and optimizing the parameters of laser accelerated proton beams. The propagation of the EM pulse along a helical path was studied by employing a proton probing technique. The pulse-carrying coil was probed along two orthogonal directions, transverse and parallel to the coil axis. The temporal profile of the pulse obtained from the transverse probing of the coil is in agreement with the previous measurements obtained in a planar geometry. The data obtained from the longitudinal probing of the coil shows a clear evidence of an energy dependent reduction of the proton beam divergence, which underpins the mechanism behind selective guiding of laser-driven ions by the helical coil targets.

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“…The majority of them spread out and dissipate energy, while only the fastest component can reach the target rear side [31]. Afterwards, the most energetic electrons escape, leaving an electrostatic potential on target, due to the unbalanced positive charge left on it [32]. Such potential generates an electric field that ionizes and accelerates surface ions in a process called Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) [29].…”

Section: Eos Diagnostics For Fs Resolution Probing High Intensity Lasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Single-Shot Diagnostics for Electrons from Laser-Plasma Interaction at SPARC_LAB

Bisesto

Anania

Botton

et al. 2017

QuBS

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Nowadays, plasma wakefield acceleration is the most promising acceleration technique for compact and cheap accelerators, needed in several fields, e.g., novel compact light sources for industrial and medical applications. Indeed, the high electric field available in plasma structures (>100 GV/m) allows for accelerating electrons at the GeV energy scale in a few centimeters. Nevertheless, this approach still suffers from shot-to-shot instabilities, mostly related to experimental parameter fluctuations, e.g., laser intensity and plasma density. Therefore, single shot diagnostics are crucial in order to properly understand the acceleration mechanism. In this regard, at the SPARC_LAB Test Facility, we have developed two diagnostic tools to investigate properties of electrons coming from high intensity laser-matter interaction: one relying on Electro Optical Sampling (EOS) for the measurement of the temporal profile of the electric field carried by fast electrons generated by a high intensity laser hitting a solid target, the other one based on Optical Transition Radiation (OTR) for single shot measurements of the transverse emittance. In this work, the basic principles of both diagnostics will be presented as well as the experimental results achieved by means of the SPARC high brightness photo-injector and the high power laser FLAME.

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Physics of giant electromagnetic pulse generation in short-pulse laser experiments

Cited by 114 publications

References 19 publications

Low-noise time-resolved optical sensing of electromagnetic pulses from petawatt laser-matter interactions

Low-noise time-resolved optical sensing of electromagnetic pulses from petawatt laser-matter interactions

Proton probing of laser-driven EM pulses travelling in helical coils

Novel Single-Shot Diagnostics for Electrons from Laser-Plasma Interaction at SPARC_LAB

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