Optimizing laser coupling, matter heating, and particle acceleration from solids using multiplexed ultraintense lasers
Abstract
Realizing the full potential of ultrahigh-intensity lasers for particle and radiation generation will require multi-beam arrangements due to technology limitations. Here, we investigate how to optimize their coupling with solid targets. Experimentally, we show that overlapping two intense lasers in a mirror-like configuration onto a solid with a large preplasma can greatly improve the generation of hot electrons at the target front and ion acceleration at the target backside. The underlying mechanisms are analyzed through multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations, revealing that the self-induced magnetic fields driven by the two laser beams at the target front are susceptible to reconnection, which is one possible mechanism to boost electron energization. In addition, the resistive magnetic field generated during the transport of the hot electrons in the target bulk tends to improve their collimation. Our simulations also indicate that such effects can be further enhanced by overlapping more than two laser beams.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2208.06272,
title = {Optimizing laser coupling, matter heating, and particle acceleration from solids using multiplexed ultraintense lasers},
author = {Weipeng Yao and Motoaki Nakatsutsumi and Sébastien Buffechoux and Patrizio Antici and Macro Borghesi and Andrea Ciardi and Sophia N. Chen and Emmanuel d'Humières and Laurent Gremillet and Robert Heathcote and Vojtěch Horný and Paul McKenna and Mark N. Quinn and Lorenzo Romagnani and Ryan Royle and Gianluca Sarri and Yasuhiko Sentoku and Hans-Peter Schlenvoigt and Toma Toncian and Olivier Tresca and Laura Vassura and Oswald Willi and Julien Fuchs},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2208.06272},
year = {2024}
}