Speaker
Martina Žáková
Description
See the full Abstract at http://ocs.ciemat.es/EPS2018ABS/pdf/P2.2041.pdf
The role of a prepulse in laser-driven ion acceleration (PIC simulations)
M. Zakova1,2, J. Psikal1,2, D. Margarone1, S. V. Bulanov1, G. Korn1
1
Institute of Physics ASCR, ELI Beamlines Project, Prague, Czech Republic
2
Czech Technical University in Prague, FNSPE, Prague, Czech Republic
Laser-driven ion beams have a great importance since high intensity pulsed lasers were
developed. Many efforts were made in studying and manufacturing micro/nano-structured
targets in order to both decrease beam divergence and/or increase beam charge and
maximum ion energy and thus fulfill the requirements of foreseen applications such us
laser-driven hadrontherapy, fast ignition of inertial fusion or pulsed radiolysis etc. Laser
prepulse is being widely known and treated as unwanted feature in laser acceleration
experiments. As a consequence of ablative pressure of blow-off plasma generated by a laser
prepulse, a shockwave can penetrate into the target and thus destroy a micro/nano-
structures on target front or even back side before the main pulse comes. This work
introduces Particle-in-cell simulations performing physical situations when the laser
prepulse is present. This includes firstly flat target(s) with generated layer of preplasma
causing e.g. self-focusing and thus local increase of laser peak intensity and secondly
scenario in which the laser prepulse causes an expansion of solid/cryogenic target up to
near critical density and magnetic vortex field plays a role in ion acceleration. The optimal
parameters for obtaining desired beam features or required scenario will be derived
analytically. Part of the PIC results will be also compared to experimental data measured
during laser-driven ion acceleration experiment at VULCAN laser (Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, UK) from cryogenic hydrogen ribbon.
