Ultrashort high energy electron bunches from tunable surface plasma waves driven with laser wavefront rotation.

We propose to use ultrahigh intensity laser pulses with wave-front rotation (WFR) to produce short, ultraintense surface plasma waves (SPW) on grating targets for electron acceleration. Combining a smart grating design with optimal WFR conditions identified through simple analytical modeling and particle-in-cell simulation allows us to decrease the SPW duration (down to a few optical cycles) and increase its peak amplitude. In the relativistic regime, for Iλ_{0}^{2}=3.4×10^{19}W/cm^{2}µm^{2}, such SPW are found to accelerate high charge (few 10 s of pC), high energy (up to 70 MeV), and ultrashort (few fs) electron bunches.

Laser-Plasma Interaction Experiment for Solar Burst Studies.

A new experimental platform based on laser-plasma interaction is proposed to explore the fundamental processes of wave coupling at the origin of interplanetary radio emissions. It is applied to the study of electromagnetic (EM) emission at twice the plasma frequency (2ω_{p}) observed during solar bursts and thought to result from the coalescence of two Langmuir waves (LWs). In the interplanetary medium, the first LW is excited by electron beams, while the second is generated by electrostatic decay of Langmuir waves. In the present experiment, instead of an electron beam, an energetic laser propagating through a plasma excites the primary LW, with characteristics close to those at near-Earth orbit. The EM radiation at 2ω_{p} is observed at different angles. Its intensity, spectral evolution, and polarization confirm the LW-coalescence scenario.

From quantum to classical modeling of radiation reaction: A focus on stochasticity effects.

Radiation reaction in the interaction of ultrarelativistic electrons with a strong external electromagnetic field is investigated using a kinetic approach in the nonlinear moderately quantum regime. Three complementary descriptions are discussed considering arbitrary geometries of interaction: a deterministic one relying on the quantum-corrected radiation reaction force in the Landau and Lifschitz (LL) form, a linear Boltzmann equation for the electron distribution function, and a Fokker-Planck (FP) expansion in the limit where the emitted photon energies are small with respect to that of the emitting electrons. The latter description is equivalent to a stochastic differential equation where the effect of the radiation reaction appears in the form of the deterministic term corresponding to the quantum-corrected LL friction force, and by a diffusion term accounting for the stochastic nature of photon emission. By studying the evolution of the energy moments of the electron distribution function with the three models, we are able to show that all three descriptions provide similar predictions on the temporal evolution of the average energy of an electron population in various physical situations of interest, even for large values of the quantum parameter χ. The FP and full linear Boltzmann descriptions also allow us to correctly describe the evolution of the energy variance (second-order moment) of the distribution function, while higher-order moments are in general correctly captured with the full linear Boltzmann description only. A general criterion for the limit of validity of each description is proposed, as well as a numerical scheme for the inclusion of the FP description in particle-in-cell codes. This work, not limited to the configuration of a monoenergetic electron beam colliding with a laser pulse, allows further insight into the relative importance of various effects of radiation reaction and in particular of the discrete and stochastic nature of high-energy photon emission and its back-reaction in the deformation of the particle distribution function.

Electron Weibel instability in relativistic counterstreaming plasmas with flow-aligned external magnetic fields.

The Weibel instability driven by two symmetric counterstreaming relativistic electron plasmas, also referred to as current-filamentation instability, is studied in a constant and uniform external magnetic field aligned with the plasma flows. Both the linear and nonlinear stages of the instability are investigated using analytical modeling and particle-in-cell simulations. While previous studies have already described the stabilizing effect of the magnetic field, we show here that the saturation stage is only weakly affected. The different mechanisms responsible for the saturation are discussed in detail in the relativistic cold fluid framework considering a single unstable mode. The application of an external field leads to a slight increase of the saturation level for large wavelengths, while it does not affect the small wavelengths. Multimode and temperature effects are then investigated. While at high temperature the saturation level is independent of the external magnetic field, at low but finite temperature the competition between different modes in the presence of an external magnetic field leads to a saturation level lower with respect to the unmagnetized case.

Radiation-pressure-driven ion Weibel instability and collisionless shocks.

The Weibel instability from counterstreaming plasma flows is a basic process highly relevant for collisionless shock formation in astrophysics. In this paper we investigate, via two- and three-dimensional simulations, suitable configurations for laboratory investigations of the ion Weibel instability (IWI) driven by a fast quasineutral plasma flow launched into the target via the radiation pressure of an ultra-high-intensity laser pulse ("hole-boring" process). The use of S-polarized light at oblique incidence is found to be an optimal configuration for driving IWI, as it prevents the development of surface rippling observed at normal incidence that would lead to strong electron heating and would favor competing instabilities. Conditions for the evolution of IWI into a collisionless shock are also investigated.

Role of Frequency Chirp and Energy Flow Directionality in the Strong Coupling Regime of Brillouin-Based Plasma Amplification.

A detailed analysis is presented of the various stages of strong coupling Brillouin plasma amplification, emphasizing the importance of the chirp which can be of threefold origin: the intrinsic one driven by the amplification process, the one originating from the chirped-pulse-generated laser pulses, and the one associated with the plasma profile. Control of the overall chirp can optimize or quench the energy transfer. The time-dependent phase relation explains the energy flow direction during amplification and is characteristic for this strong coupling process. The study is also of potential importance to understand and maybe control cross-beam-energy transfer in inertial confinement fusion.

Publisher's Note: Experimental investigation of stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering instabilities driven by two successive collinear picosecond laser pulses [Phys. Rev. E 93, 043209 (2016)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.043209.

Experimental investigation of stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering instabilities driven by two successive collinear picosecond laser pulses.

Backward stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering (SRS and SBS) are experimentally investigated by using two successive 1-µm, 1.5-ps FWHM laser pulses. The collinear pulses, separated by 3 or 6 ps and of moderate laser intensities (∼2×10^{16}Wcm^{-2}), are fired into a preionized He plasma of density ∼2.5-6×10^{19}cm^{-3}. The electron plasma waves and ion acoustic waves, respectively driven by SRS and SBS, are analyzed through space- and time-resolved Thomson scattering. Depending on the laser and plasma parameters, we observe the effect of the first pulse on the time-resolved SRS and SBS signals of the second pulse. The measurements are found to qualitatively agree with the results of a large-scale particle-in-cell simulation.

Experimental evidence of predominantly transverse electron plasma waves driven by stimulated Raman scattering of picosecond laser pulses.

We report on highly time- and space-resolved measurements of the evolution of electron plasma waves driven by stimulated Raman scattering of a picosecond, single laser speckle propagating through a preformed underdense plasma. Two-dimensional Thomson scatter spectra indicate that the dominant waves have significant transverse components. These results are supported by particle-in-cell simulations which pinpoint the dominant role of the wave front bowing and of secondary nonlinear electrostatic instabilities in the evolution of the plasma waves.

No "light shining through a wall": results from a photoregeneration experiment.

Recently, axionlike particle search has received renewed interest. In particular, several groups have started "light shining through a wall" experiments based on magnetic field and laser both continuous, which is very demanding in terms of detector background. We present here the 2sigma limits obtained so far with our novel setup consisting of a pulsed magnetic field and a pulsed laser. In particular, we have found that the axionlike particle two photons inverse coupling constant M is >8 x 10{5} GeV provided that the particle mass m{a} approximately 1 meV. Our results definitively invalidate the axion interpretation of the original PVLAS optical measurements with a confidence level greater than 99.9%.

Transient development of backward stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering on a picosecond time scale measured by subpicosecond thomson diagnostic.

The excitation and the relaxation of the plasma waves and ion acoustic waves (IAW), respectively, driven by stimulated Raman (SRS) and Brillouin (SBS) backscatterings have been experimentally investigated with short-pulse lasers. The spectra have been obtained with a 0.3 ps time resolution. It is shown that SRS develops before SBS and suddenly decays around the peak of the pump, as the IAW reaches saturation. On this short time scale, electron kinetic effects play a major role for SRS saturation, contrary to ion dynamics. These results are supported by particle-in-cell simulations.

Fast-electron transport and heating of solid targets in high-intensity laser interactions measured by K alpha fluorescence.

We present experimental results on fast-electron energy deposition into solid targets in ultrahigh intensity laser-matter interaction. X-ray K alpha emission spectroscopy with absolute photon counting served to diagnose fast-electron propagation in multilayered targets. Target heating was measured from ionization-shifted K alpha emission. Data show a 200 microm fast-electron range in solid Al. The relative intensities of spectrally shifted Al K alpha lines imply a mean temperature of a few tens of eV up to a 100 microm depth. Experimental results suggest refluxing of the electron beam at target rear side. They were compared with the predictions of both a collisional Monte Carlo and a collisional-electromagnetic, particle-fluid transport code. The validity of the code modeling of heating in such highly transient conditions is discussed.

Ultraintense laser-produced fast-electron propagation in gas jets.

We study the propagation of fast electrons in a gas at different densities. A large relativistic electron current is produced by focusing a short-pulse ultrahigh-intensity laser on a metallic target. It then propagates in a gas jet placed behind the foil. Shadowgraphy in the gas shows an electron cloud moving at sub-relativistic average velocities. The experiment shows (i) the essential role of the density of background material for allowing propagation of fast electrons, (ii) the importance of the ionization phase which produces free electrons available for the return current, and (iii) the effect of electrostatic fields on fast-electron propagation.

Fast electron heating of a solid target in ultrahigh-intensity laser pulse interaction.

We report one of the first measurements of induced heating due to the transport of a fast electron beam generated by an ultrashort pulse laser interaction with solid targets. Rear-side optical reflectivity and emissivity have been used as diagnostics for the size and temperature of the heated zone. A narrow spot has been observed of the order of the laser focus size. Values up to approximately 10 eV at the target back surface were inferred from the experimental data and compared with the predictions of a hybrid collisional-electromagnetic transport simulation.

K(alpha) fluorescence measurement of relativistic electron transport in the context of fast ignition.

Electron transport within solid targets, irradiated by a high-intensity short-pulse laser, has been measured by imaging K(alpha) radiation from high- Z layers (Cu, Ti) buried in low- Z (CH, Al) foils. Although the laser spot is approximately 10 microm [full width at half maximum (FWHM)], the electron beam spreads to > or =70 microm FWHM within <20 microm of penetration into an Al target then, at depths >100 microm, diverges with a 40 degree spreading angle. Monte Carlo and analytic models are compared to our data. We find that a Monte Carlo model with a heuristic model for the electron injection gives a reasonable fit with our data.

Evidence of ultrashort electron bunches in laser-plasma interactions at relativistic intensities.

The second harmonic of the laser light (2omega(0)) is observed on the rear side of thick solid targets irradiated by a laser beam at relativistic intensities. This emission is explained by the acceleration by the laser pulse in front of the target of short bunches of electrons separated by the period (or half the period) of the laser light. When reaching the rear side of the target, these electron bunches emit coherent transition radiation at 2omega(0). The observations indicate that, in our conditions, the minimum fraction of the laser energy transferred to these electron bunches is of the order of 1%.

Enhanced spatiotemporal laser-beam smoothing in gas-jet plasmas.

Spatiotemporal smoothing of large-scale laser intensity fluctuations is observed for a laser beam focused into underdense helium plasmas. This smoothing is found to be severely enhanced when focusing the laser beam into a helium gas jet. In contrast to other experiments with preformed plasmas, the average and the peak laser intensities are well below the threshold for ponderomotive self-focusing. The coherence characteristics of the transmitted light are measured for various electron densities, and the smoothing effect is explained by multiple scattering of laser light on self-induced density perturbations.

Radiation protection for an ultra-high intensity laser.

Radiological characterisation of an experimental chamber and other areas of an ultra-high intensity laser facility (-terawatt) revealed significant levels of X ray, gamma and neutron radiation. Different techniques were used to detect and measure this radiation: TLD. photographic film, bubble detectors and germanium spectrometry. A test series of radiological measurements was made for 150 laser shots (300 femtoseconds) with energies in the 1 to 20 J range and a target illuminance of 10(19) W.cm2. Gamma dose equivalents in the vicinity of the chamber varied between 0.7 and 73 mSv. The dose equivalent due to the neutron component was evaluated to be 1% of the gamma dose equivalent. The amount of radiation generated depends on the laser energy and the nature of the target. No activation or contamination of the chamber or target holder were observed. Ultra-high intensity lasers are being extensively developed at the present time and the investigations performed demonstrate that it is necessary to take radiological risks into consideration in the design of ultra-high intensity laser facilities and to define personnel access conditions.

Inhibition in the propagation of fast electrons in plastic foams by resistive electric fields.

The propagation of relativistic electrons in foam and solid density targets has been studied by means of K-alpha spectroscopy. Experimental results point out the role of self-generated electric fields in propagation and the role of heating of matter induced by the passage of fast electrons. A simple analytical formulation has been given and Spitzer conductivity has been shown to be fairly compatible with experimental results.

Fast electron transport in ultraintense laser pulse interaction with solid targets by rear-side self-radiation diagnostics.

We report on rear-side optical self-emission results from ultraintense laser pulse interactions with solid targets. A prompt emission associated with a narrow electron jet has been observed up to aluminum target thicknesses of 400 microm with a typical spreading half-angle of 17 degrees. The quantitative results on the emitted energy are consistent with models where the optical emission is due to transition radiation of electrons reaching the back surface of the target or due to a synchrotron-type radiation of electrons pulled back to the target. These models associated with transport simulation results give an indication of a temperature of a few hundred keV for the fast-electron population.