Author:
Gyrdymov Mikhail,Cikhardt Jakub,Tavana Parysatis,Borisenko Nataliya G.,Gus´kov Sergey Yu.,Yakhin Rafael A.,Vegunova Galina A.,Wei Wenqing,Ren Jieru,Zhao Yongtao,Hoffmann Dieter H. H.,Deng Zhigang,Zhou Weimin,Cheng Rui,Yang Jie,Novotny Jan,Shen Xiaofei,Pukhov Alexander,Jacoby Joachim,Spielmann Christian,Popov Viacheslav S.,Veysman Mikhail E.,Andreev Nikolay E.,Rosmej Olga N.
Abstract
AbstractDirect laser acceleration (DLA) of electrons in plasmas of near-critical density (NCD) is a very advancing platform for high-energy PW-class lasers of moderate relativistic intensity supporting Inertial Confinement Fusion research. Experiments conducted at the PHELIX sub-PW Nd:glass laser demonstrated application-promising characteristics of DLA-based radiation and particle sources, such as ultra-high number, high directionality and high conversion efficiency. In this context, the bright synchrotron-like (betatron) radiation of DLA electrons, which arises from the interaction of a sub-ps PHELIX laser pulse with an intensity of 1019 W/cm2 with pre-ionized low-density polymer foam, was studied. The experimental results show that the betatron radiation produced by DLA electrons in NCD plasma is well directed with a half-angle of 100–200 mrad, yielding (3.4 ± 0.4)·1010 photons/keV/sr at 10 keV photon energy. The experimental photon fluence and the brilliance agree well with the particle-in-cell simulations. These results pave the way for innovative applications of the DLA regime using low-density pre-ionized foams in high energy density research.
Funder
Grantová Agentura České Republiky
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC