Related papers: Tracing dynamics of laser-induced fields on ultra-…
This dissertation explores the interaction between high-intensity lasers and plasmas to accelerate electrons and produce radiation via experimental and computational efforts. The laser pulses used in this dissertation have ultrashort…
Recollision physics and attosecond pulse generation meld the precision of optics with collision physics. As a follow-up to our previous work, we reveal a new direction for the study of electronic structure and multielectron dynamics by…
The ultrafast dynamic evolution of an atomic system under medium-strength laser fields is studied by performing transient absorption measurement. An analytical model developed from perturbation theory with a modified transition dipole…
We describe magnetic reconnection experiments using a new, pulsed-power driven experimental platform in which the inflows are super-sonic but sub-Alfv\'enic.The intrinsically magnetised plasma flows are long lasting, producing a…
We present the characterization of ultrashort laser pulses by using the plasma-induced frequency resolved optical switching (PI-FROSt) technique, implemented in ambient air. This recently developed method allows for a temporal…
In this paper we study photon emission in the interaction of the laser beam with an under-dense target and the attached reflecting plasma mirror. Photons are emitted due to the inverse Compton scattering when accelerated electrons interact…
Ultrashort laser pulses enable attosecond-scale measurements and drive breakthroughs across science and technology, but their routine use hinges on reliable pulse characterization. Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating (FROG) is a leading…
We present a setup for complete characterization of femtosecond pulses generated by seeded free-electron lasers (FEL's) in the extreme-ultraviolet spectral region. Two delayed and spectrally shifted replicas are produced and used for…
Traditionally one defines the speed of a wave as a property of the medium. Recent studies in photonics have challenged this idea, indicating that spatial shaping of the optical wavefront has can alter the arrival time of single photons when…
We measure the expansion of an ultracold plasma across the field lines of a uniform magnetic field. We image the ion distribution by extracting the ions with a high voltage pulse onto a position-sensitive detector. Early in the lifetime of…
Understanding the complex plasma dynamics in ultra-intense relativistic laser-solid interactions is of fundamental importance to the applications of laser plasma-based particle accelerators, creation of high energy-density matter,…
We investigate distribution of magnetic fields around dense solid plasmas generated by intense p-polarized laser (~10^{16} W.cm^{-2}, 100 fs) irradiation of magnetic tapes, using high sensitivity magneto optical microscopy. We present…
We review studies of superintense laser interaction with solid targets where the generation of propagating surface plasmons (or surface waves) plays a key role. These studies include the onset of plasma instabilities at the irradiated…
We present measurements of ion velocity distribution profiles obtained by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) on an explosive laser produced plasma (LPP). The spatio-temporal evolution of the resulting carbon ion velocity distribution was…
In this paper we present a high-repetition-rate experimental platform for examining the spatial structure and evolution of Biermann generated magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas. We have extended the work of prior experiments, which…
Self-guided femtosecond laser pulses propagating in low-pressure gas can generate plasma filaments, establishing a new framework for plasma wakefield acceleration. Unlike conventional schemes relying on mechanically confined or preformed…
This paper describes the application of a laser diffraction technique to the study of electroconvection in nematic liquid crystal cells. It allows a real-time quantitative access to pattern wave lengths and amplitudes. The diffraction…
Ultra-high intensity femtosecond lasers at focus are now routinely used for relativistic motion of charged particles with peak intensities over 10^18W/cm^2. Such high-field experiments are very sensitive to the value of the peak intensity.…
The confinement of plasmas in tokamaks and stellarators depends on magnetic field lines lying in nested toroidal surfaces. The transition near the plasma edge away from the lines lying in magnetic surfaces defines properties of divertors.…
Ultrahigh peak power femtosecond laser pulses create extreme states of matter that are currently being probed with great interest. Plasma optics have been proposed for shaping and amplifying high-power pulses, but they are subject to huge…