A5025865298- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Laser Design and Applications
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
- Solid State Laser Technologies
- Optical Systems and Laser Technology
- Laser Material Processing Techniques
- Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Pulsed Power Technology Applications
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Infrared Target Detection Methodologies
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- Radiation Effects and Dosimetry
GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
2015-2024
Goethe University Frankfurt
2012-2015
University Hospital Frankfurt
2013
Research Association for Combustion Engines
2012
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
2012
University of Strathclyde
2012
We present a study of laser-driven ion acceleration with micrometer and submicrometer thick plastic targets. Using laser pulses high temporal contrast an intensity the order ${10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ we observe proton beams cutoff energies in excess 85 MeV particle numbers ${10}^{9}$ energy bin 1 around this maximum. show that applying target normal sheath mechanism targets is very robust way to achieve such fluxes. Our results are backed 2D cell simulations...
Abstract X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) is more sensitive to density variations than absorption radiography, which a crucial advantage when weakly-absorbing, low-Z materials, or steep gradients in matter under extreme conditions. Here, we describe the application of polychromatic laser-plasma source (duration ~0.5 ps, photon energy >1 keV) study laser-driven shock travelling plastic material. The XPCI technique allows for clear identification front as well small-scale features...
The laser-driven acceleration of protons from thin foils irradiated by hollow high-intensity laser beams in the regime target normal sheath (TNSA) is reported for first time. use aims at reducing initial emission solid angle TNSA source, due to a flattening electron rear side. experiments were conducted PHELIX facility GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH with intensities range 1018 W cm−2 1020 cm−2. We observed an average reduction half opening (3.07±0.42)° or (13.2±2.0)% when...
Abstract A laser-driven, multi-MeV-range ion beamline has been installed at the GSI Helmholtz center for heavy research. The high-power laser PHELIX drives very short (picosecond) acceleration on μm scale, with energies ranging up to 28.4 MeV protons in a continuous spectrum. necessary beam shaping behind source is accomplished by applying magnetic lenses like solenoids and quadrupoles radiofrequency cavity. Based unique properties from laser-driven source, high-current single bunches could...
We present a study of laser-driven ion acceleration with micrometre and sub-micrometre thick targets, which focuses on the enhancement maximum proton energy total number accelerated particles at PHELIX facility. Using laser pulses nanosecond temporal contrast up to $10^{-12}$ an intensity order $10^{20}~\text{W}/\text{cm}^{2}$ , energies 93 MeV are achieved. Additionally, conversion efficiency $45^{\circ }$ incidence angle was increased when changing polarization p, enabling similar particle...
Strong electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are generated from intense laser interactions with solid-density targets, and can be guided by the target geometry, specifically through conductive connections to ground. We present an experimental characterization, time- spatial-resolved proton deflectometry, of discharge along wires including a coil, driven 0.5 ps, 50 J, 1e19 W/cm2 pulses. Proton-deflectometry data allows time-resolve first EMP due laser-driven charging then return ground stalk. Both...
Abstract The high-energy/high-intensity laser facility PHELIX of the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany, has been operation since 2008. Here, we review current system performance, which is result continuous development and further improvement. Through its versatile frontend architecture, can be operated both long- short-pulse modes, corresponding to ns-pulses with up 1 kJ pulse energy sub-ps, 200 J pulses, respectively. In mode, excellent temporal contrast...
Structures on the front surface of thin foil targets for laser-driven ion acceleration have been proposed to increase source maximum energy and conversion efficiency. While structures shown significantly boost proton from pulses moderate-energy fluence, their performance tightly focused high-energy lasers remains unclear. Here, we report results three-dimensional (3D)-printed microtube targets, focusing efficacy acceleration. Using high-contrast (∼10^{12}) PHELIX laser (150J,...
Laser ion acceleration provides for compact, high-intensity sources in the multi-MeV range. Using a pulsed high-field solenoid, first time laser-accelerated proton bunches could be selected from continuous exponential spectrum and delivered to large distances, containing more than ${10}^{9}$ particles narrow energy interval around central of 9.4 MeV showing $\ensuremath{\le}30\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mrad}$ envelope divergence. The only few nanoseconds bunch duration were characterized 2.2 m...
We measure a record 96 ±2.5% specularly reflected energy fraction from an interaction with plasma mirror (PM) surface preionized by controlled prepulse and find that the optical quality is dependent on inter pulse time delay. Simulations show main strong function of density scale length, which increases delay reaches peak reflectivity for length 0.3 μm, achieved here separation 3 ps. It found incident laser quasi near field intensity distribution leads to nonuniformities in this expansion...
X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) is a versatile technique with applications in many fields, including fundamental physics, biology and medicine. Where absorption radiography requires high density ratios for effective imaging, the image contrast XPCI function of gradient. In this letter, we apply to study laser-driven shock waves. Our experiment was conducted at Petawatt High-Energy Laser Heavy Ion EXperiments (PHELIX) GSI. Two laser beams were used: one launch wave other generate an...
Using the example of PHELIX high-energy short pulse laser we discuss technical preconditions to investigate ion acceleration with submicrometer thick targets. We show how temporal contrast this system was improved prevent pre-ionization such targets on nanosecond timescale. Furthermore influence typical fluctuations or uncertainties on-target intensity experiments is discussed. report these were reduced by improving assessment and control on-shot optimizing positioning target into focal...
We report on the first results of experiments with a new laser-based proton beam line at GSI accelerator facility in Darmstadt. It delivers high current bunches energies around 9.6 MeV, containing more than ${10}^{9}$ particles less 10 ns and tunable energy spread down to 2.7% ($\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}\mathrm{E}/{\mathrm{E}}_{0}$ FWHM). A target normal sheath acceleration stage serves as source pulsed solenoid provides for collimation selection. Finally synchronous radio frequency (rf)...
We report on a plasma half cavity target design for laser driven ion acceleration that enhances the to proton energy conversion efficiency and has been found modify low region of spectrum. The utilizes high fraction reflected from an ionized surface refocuses it such double pulse interaction is attained. numerical simulations experimental results demonstrating efficiencies can be doubled, compared planar foil interactions, when secondary delivered within picoseconds primary pulse.
We apply Fourier-transform spectral interferometry (FTSI) to study the interaction of intense laser pulses with ultrathin targets. Ultrathin submicrometer-thick solid CH targets were shot at PHELIX facility an intensity in mid upper 10^{19} W/cm^{2} range using innovative double-pulse structure. The transmitted pulse structure was analyzed by FTSI and shows a transition from relativistic transparency-dominated regime for thinner than 500 nm hole-boring-dominated laser-plasma thicker results...
The absorption of laser energy and dynamics energetic electrons in dense plasma is fundamental to a range intense laser-driven particle radiation generation mechanisms. We measure the total reflected scattered as function intensity, distinguishing between influence pulse focal spot size on absorption, interaction with thin foils. confirm previously published scaling intensity by variation energy, but find slower when changing size. 2D particle-in-cell simulations show that measured...
Abstract We report on the development of an ultrafast optical parametric amplifier front-end for Petawatt High Energy Laser heavy Ion eXperiments (PHELIX) and ENergy-Efficient Optical Plasma Experiments (PEnELOPE) facilities. This delivers broadband stable amplification up to 1 mJ per pulse while maintaining a high beam quality. Its implementation at PHELIX allowed one bypass amplifier, which is known be source pre-pulses. With bypass, amplified spontaneous emission contrast $4.9\times...
We have recently proposed a new technique of plasma tailoring by laser-driven hydrodynamic shockwaves generated on both sides gas jet [Marquès et al., Phys. Plasmas 28, 023103 (2021)]. In continuation this numerical work, we study experimentally the influence proton acceleration driven high-intensity picosecond laser in three cases: without tailoring, only entrance side laser, and jet. Without is transverse to axis, with low-energy exponential spectrum, produced Coulomb explosion. When front...
In the last two decades, generation of intense ion beams based on laser-driven sources has become an extensively investigated field. The LIGHT collaboration combines a laserdriven source with conventional accelerator technology Expertise laser, plasma and physicists. Our installed multi-MeV beamline at GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung delivering proton bunches in subnanosecond regime. We investigate possible applications for this beamline, especially report we focus imaging...
We report on our latest transverse focusing results of subnanosecond proton bunches achieved with a laser-driven multi-MeV ion beamline. In the frame LIGHT collaboration, target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) source based 6 m long beamline was installed. past years, beam transported and shaped by this The particle is collimated pulsed high-field solenoid rotated in longitudinal phase space radio-frequency cavity which leads to an energy compression spread...
Abstract In this work, we propose and verify experimentally a model that describes the concomitant influence of beam size optical roughness on temporal contrast pulses passing through pulse stretcher in chirped-pulse amplification laser systems. We develop an analytical is capable predicting rising edge caused by reflection from element stretcher, based power spectral density surface spatial profile surface. experimental campaign, characterize passed either folded or unfolded design compare...
Abstract This work presents first insights into the dynamics of free-surface release clouds from dynamically compressed polystyrene and pyrolytic graphite at pressures up to 200 GPa, where they transform diamond or lonsdaleite, respectively. These ejecta are released either vacuum various types catcher systems, monitored with high-speed recordings (frame rates 10 MHz). Molecular simulations used give rate preservation throughout free expansion impact process, highlighting challenges...
The development of new diagnostics is important to improve the interpretation experiments. Often well-known physical processes and techniques originally developed in unrelated fields science can be applied a different area with significant impact on quality produced data. X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) one which has found many applications biology medicine. This due its capability emphasise presence strong density variations normally oriented respect propagation direction. With...