Laser accelerated ions from near critical gaseous targets

M. H. Helle; D. F. Gordon; D. Kaganovich; Y.-H. Chen; A. Ting

doi:10.1117/12.2178878

14 May 2015 Laser accelerated ions from near critical gaseous targets

M. H. Helle, D. F. Gordon, D. Kaganovich, Y.-H. Chen, A. Ting

Proceedings Volume 9514, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions III; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles III; 951409 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2178878
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2015, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

An intense laser pulse propagating through a near-critical density plasma is capable of generating a high peak current electron beam (~100kA) by means of a laser wakefield operating in the bubble regime. This beam drives surface currents on the sheath of the cavitation that produces large azithumal magnetic fields (~100 MG) and induces an on-axis electron current. These effects lead to a Z-pinch of the ambient plasma ions. Eventually the field confining the pinch relaxes and the ions explode radially due to self-repulsive forces. If this process occurs at a sharp exit gradient, the ions acquire some forward momentum consistent with the magnetic vortex acceleration mechanism. Fully 3D simulations indicate that the highest energy ions are emitted conically with a secondary lower energy ion beam accelerated on the axis.

Citation Download Citation

M. H. Helle, D. F. Gordon, D. Kaganovich, Y.-H. Chen, and A. Ting "Laser accelerated ions from near critical gaseous targets", Proc. SPIE 9514, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions III; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles III, 951409 (14 May 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2178878

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available