A5077825818- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics
- Laser Design and Applications
- Astro and Planetary Science
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
- Laser Material Processing Techniques
- Electrohydrodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
- Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
- Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Semiconductor materials and devices
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
2016-2025
University of Alberta
2016-2024
Menlo School
2017-2024
The University of Texas at Austin
2021
Osaka University
2021
University of Nevada, Reno
2021
Stanford University
2021
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
2021
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
2017
University of California, Berkeley
2017
The matter in extreme conditions end station at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a new tool enabling accurate pump–probe measurements for studying physical properties of high-energy density (HED) physics regime. This instrument combines world's brightest x-ray source, LCLS beam, with high-power lasers consisting two nanosecond Nd:glass laser beams and one short-pulse Ti:sapphire laser. These produce short-lived states high pressures, temperatures or densities that are important...
The physics and chemistry of liquid solutions play a central role in science, our understanding life on Earth. Unfortunately, key tools for interrogating aqueous systems, such as infrared soft X-ray spectroscopy, cannot readily be applied because strong absorption water. Here we use gas-dynamic forces to generate free-flowing, sub-micron, sheets which are two orders magnitude thinner than anything previously reported. Optical, infrared, spectroscopies used characterize the sheets, found...
We report on recent experimental results deploying a continuous cryogenic hydrogen jet as debris-free, renewable laser-driven source of pure proton beams generated at the 150 TW ultrashort pulse laser Draco. Efficient acceleration reaching cut-off energies up to 20 MeV with particle numbers exceeding 10
Laser plasma-based particle accelerators attract great interest in fields where conventional reach limits based on size, cost or beam parameters. Despite the fact that cell simulations have predicted several advantageous ion acceleration schemes, laser not yet reached their full potential producing simultaneous high-radiation doses at high energies. The most stringent limitation is lack of a suitable high-repetition rate target also provides degree control plasma conditions required to...
Abstract We present the development and characterization of a high-stability, multi-material, multi-thickness tape-drive target for laser-driven acceleration at repetition rates up to 100 Hz. The tape surface position was measured be stable on sub-micrometre scale, compatible with high-numerical aperture focusing geometries required achieve relativistic intensity interactions pulse energy available in current multi-Hz near-future higher repetition-rate lasers ( $>$ kHz). Long-term drift...
Abstract The interaction of relativistically intense lasers with opaque targets represents a highly non-linear, multi-dimensional parameter space. This limits the utility sequential 1D scanning experimental parameters for optimization secondary radiation, although to-date this has been accepted methodology due to low data acquisition rates. High repetition-rate (HRR) augmented by machine learning present valuable opportunity efficient source optimization. Here, an automated, HRR-compatible...
We report on a high repetition rate proton source produced by high-intensity laser irradiation of continuously flowing, cryogenic hydrogen jet. The energy spectra are recorded at 1 Hz for Draco powers 6, 20, 40, and 100 TW. delivers ∼1013 protons/MeV/sr/min. find that the average number over one minute, energies sufficiently far from cut-off energy, is robust to laser-target overlap nearly constant. This work therefore first step towards pulsed laser-driven sources time-resolved radiation...
Abstract Key insights in materials at extreme temperatures and pressures can be gained by accurate measurements that determine the electrical conductivity. Free-electron laser pulses ionize excite matter out of equilibrium on femtosecond time scales, modifying electronic ionic structures enhancing scattering properties. The transient evolution conductivity manifests energy coupling from high temperature electrons to low ions. Here we combine accelerator-based, high-brightness multi-cycle...
Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) holds increasing promise as a potential source of abundant, clean energy, but has been impeded by defects such micro-voids in the ablator layer fuel capsules. It is critical to understand how these interact with laser-driven shock waves that compress pellet. At Matter Extreme Conditions (MEC) instrument at Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), we utilized an x-ray pulse train ns separation, microscope, and ultrafast imaging (UXI) detector image wave...
Abstract Laser-plasma acceleration of protons offers a compact, ultra-fast alternative to conventional techniques, and is being widely pursued for potential applications in medicine, industry fundamental science. Creating stable, collimated beam at high repetition rates presents key challenge. Here, we demonstrate the generation multi-MeV proton beams from fast-replenishing ambient-temperature liquid sheet. The has an unprecedentedly low divergence 1° (≤20 mrad), resulting magnetic...
For high-intensity laser-solid interactions, the absolute density and surface gradients of target at arrival ultrarelativistic laser peak are critical parameters. Accurate modeling leading edge-driven preexpansion is desired to strengthen predictive power associated computer simulations. The transition from an initial solid state a plasma state, i.e., breakdown solid, defines starting point subsequent preexpansion. In this work, we report on time-resolved observation transient laser-induced...
We describe a setup for performing inelastic X-ray scattering and diffraction measurements at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation of Linac Coherent Light Source. This technique is capable high-, meV-resolution dynamic ion features both crystalline non-crystalline materials. A four-bounce silicon (533) monochromator was used conjunction with three diced crystal analyzers to provide an energy resolution ∼50 meV over range ∼500 single shot measurements. In addition instrument...
We report on the successful operation of a newly developed cryogenic jet target at high intensity laser-irradiation. Using frequency-doubled Titan short pulse laser system Jupiter Laser Facility, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, we demonstrate generation pure proton beam with maximum energy 2 MeV. Furthermore, record quasi-monoenergetic peak 1.1 MeV in spectrum emitted forward direction suggesting an alternative acceleration mechanism. solid-density mixed hydrogen-deuterium target,...
We present direct observations of acoustic waves in warm dense matter. analyze wave-number- and energy-resolved x-ray spectra taken from methane created by laser heating a cryogenic liquid jet. X-ray diffraction inelastic free-electron scattering yield sample conditions <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><a:mrow><a:mn>0.3</a:mn><a:mo>±</a:mo><a:mn>0.1</a:mn></a:mrow></a:math> eV <b:math...
We demonstrate high repetition-rate deuteron acceleration by irradiating a continuously flowing, ambient temperature liquid heavy water jet with the high-intensity ALEPH laser. The laser delivered up to 5.5 J (120 TW, 1.2 × 1021 W/cm2) energy on target at 0.5 Hz. A Thomson parabola spectrometer measured beam spectra each shot for 60 sequential shots (two minutes). Peak fluxes of 5×1010 deuterons/sr/pulse, corresponding an average flux 1.5×1012 deuterons/sr/min, were demonstrated energies...
This protocol presents a detailed procedure for the operation of continuous, micron-sized cryogenic cylindrical and planar liquid jets. When operated as described here, jet exhibits high laminarity stability centimeters. Successful in Rayleigh regime requires basic understanding fluid dynamics thermodynamics at temperatures. Theoretical calculations typical empirical values are provided guide to design comparable system. report identifies importance both cleanliness during source assembly...
Extreme field gradients intrinsic to relativistic laser-interactions with thin solid targets enable compact MeV proton accelerators unique bunch characteristics. Yet, direct control of the beam profile is usually not possible. Here we present a readily applicable all-optical approach imprint detailed spatial information from driving laser pulse onto bunch. In series experiments, counter-intuitively, energetic was found exhibit identical structures as fraction passing around target limited...
High-flux, high-repetition-rate neutron sources are of interest in studying neutron-induced damage processes materials relevant to fusion, ultimately guiding designs for future fusion reactors. Existing and upcoming petawatt laser systems show great potential fulfill this need. Here, we present a platform producing laser-driven beams based on cryogenic liquid jet target an adaptable stacked lithium beryllium converter. Selected ion diagnostics enable monitoring the key parameters both beams....
Extreme states of matter exist throughout the universe, e.g., inside planetary cores, stars, or astrophysical jets. Such conditions can be generated in laboratory interaction powerful lasers with solids. Yet, measurement subsequent plasma dynamics regard to density, temperature, and ionization is a major experimental challenge. However, ultrashort x-ray pulses provided by free electron (XFELs) allow for dedicated studies, which are highly relevant study astrophysics, laser-fusion research,...
High-power lasers can generate energetic particle beams and astrophysically relevant pressure temperature states in the high-energy-density (HED) regime. Recently-commissioned high-repetition-rate (HRR) laser drivers are capable of producing these conditions at rates exceeding 1 Hz. However, experimental output from systems is often limited by difficulty designing targets that match repetition rates. To overcome this challenge, we have developed tungsten microfluidic nozzles, which produce a...
Abstract Due to the non-linear nature of relativistic laser induced plasma processes, development laser-plasma accelerators requires precise numerical modeling. Especially high intensity laser-solid interactions are sensitive temporal rising edge and predictive capability simulations suffers from incomplete information on state at onset interaction. Experimental diagnostics utilizing ultra-fast optical backlighters can help ease this challenge by providing temporally resolved inside into...
Mesoscale imperfections, such as pores and voids, can strongly modify the properties mechanical response of materials under extreme conditions. Tracking material microstructure evolution during void collapse is crucial for understanding its performance. In particular, imperfections in ablator materials, limit efficiency fusion reaction ultimately hinder ignition. To characterize how voids influence dynamic loading seed hydrodynamic instabilities, we have developed a tailored fabrication...
Probing the rapid dynamics of plasma evolution in laser-driven interactions provides deeper understanding experiments context ion acceleration and facilitates interplay with complementing numerical investigations. Besides microscopic scales involved, strong (self-)emission, predominantly around harmonics driver laser, often complicates data analysis. We present concept implementation a stand-alone probe laser system that is temporally synchronized to providing probing wavelengths beyond...
We present the design, construction, and first use of a magnetic electron-positron spectrometer at Texas Petawatt Laser facility. The Global Spectrometer for Positron Electron Characterization (GSPEC) is capable detecting electrons positrons over large energy range from 3–150 MeV has been designed to diagnose accelerated by high-intensity laser interactions with over-critical targets.