Impulsive electric fields driven by high-intensity interactions

The interaction of high-intensity laser pulses with matter releases instantaneously ultra-large currents of highly energetic electrons, leading to the generation of highly-transient, large-amplitude electric and magnetic fields. We report results of recent experiments in which such charge dynamics have been studied by using proton probing techniques able to provide maps of the electrostatic fields with high spatial and temporal resolution. The dynamics of ponderomotive channeling in underdense plasmas have been studied in this way, as also the processes of Debye sheath formation and MeV ion front expansion at the rear of laser-irradiated thin metallic foils. Laser-driven impulsive fields at the surface of solid targets can be applied for energy-selective ion beam focusing.

Quasi-isochoric ion beam heating using dynamic confinement in spherical geometry for X-ray scattering experiments in WDM regime

Extreme states of matter such as Warm Dense Matter “WDM” and Dense Strongly Coupled Plasmas “DSCP” play a key role in many high energy density experiments, however creating WDM and DSCP in a manner that can be quantified is not readily feasible. In this paper, isochoric heating of matter by intense heavy ion beams in spherical symmetry is investigated for WDM and DSCP research: The heating times are long (100 ns), the samples are macroscopically large (mm-size) and the symmetry is advantageous for diagnostic purposes. A dynamic confinement scheme in spherical symmetry is proposed which allows even ion beam heating times that are long on the hydrodynamic time scale of the target response. A particular selection of low Z-target tamper and x-ray probe radiation parameters allows to identify the x-ray scattering from the target material and use it for independent charge state measurements Z* of the material under study.

A planar inductively coupled radio-frequency magnetic neutral loop discharge

A planar inductively coupled radio-frequency (rf) magnetic neutral loop discharge has been designed. It provides diagnostic access to both the main plasma production region as well as a remote plane for applications. Three coaxial coils are arranged to generate a specially designed inhomogeneous magnetic field structure with vanishing field along a ring in the discharge-the so-called neutral loop (NL). The plasma is generated by applying an oscillating rf electric field along the NL, induced through a four-turn, planar antenna operated at 13.56 MHz. Electron density and temperature measurements are performed under various parameter variations. Collisionless electron heating in the NL region allows plasma operation at comparatively low pressures, down to 10(-2) Pa, with a degree of ionization in the order of several per cent. Conventional plasma operation in inductive mode without applying the magnetic field is less efficient, in particular in the low pressure regime where the plasma cannot be sustained without magnetic fields.

Liquid source misted chemical deposition process of three-dimensional nano-ferroelectrics with substrate heating

A modification of liquid source misted chemical deposition process (LSMCD) with heating mist and substrate has developed, and this enabled to control mist penetrability and fluidity on sidewalls of three-dimensional structures and ensure step coverage. A modified LSMCD process allowed a combinatorial approach of Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 (PZT) thin films and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) toward ultrahigh integration density of ferroelectric random access memories (FeRAMs). The CNTs templates were survived during the crystallization process of deposited PZT film onto CNTs annealed at 650 degrees C in oxygen ambient due to a matter of minute process, so that the thermal budget is quite small. The modified LSMCD process opens up the possibility to realize the nanoscale capacitor structure of ferroelectric PZT film with CNTs electrodes toward ultrahigh integration density FeRAMs.

Sandstone response to salt weathering following simulated fire damage: a comparison of furnace heating and fire.

Fire has long been recognized as an agent of rock weathering. Our understanding of the impact of fire on stone comes either from early anecdotal evidence, or from more recent laboratory simulation studies, using furnaces to simulate the effects of fire. This paper suggests that knowledge derived from simulated heating experiments is based on the preconceptions of the experiment designer – when using a furnace to simulate fire, the operator decides on the maximum temperature and the duration of the experiment. These are key factors in determining the response of the stone to fire, and if these are removed from realworld observations then knowledge based on these simulations must be questioned. To explore the differences between heating sandstone in a furnace and a real fire, sample blocks of Peakmoor Sandstone were subjected to different stress histories in combination (lime rendering and removal, furnace heating or fire, frost and salt weathering). Block response to furnace heating and fire is discussed, with emphasis placed on the non-uniformity of the fire and of block response to fire in contrast to the uniform response to surface heating in a furnace. Subsequent response to salt weathering (by a 10% solution of sodium chloride and magnesium sulphate) was then monitored by weight loss. Blocks that had experienced fire showed a more unpredictable response to salt weathering than those that had undergone furnace heating – spalling of corners and rapid catastrophic weight loss were evidenced in blocks that had been subjected to fire, after periods of relative quiescence. An important physical side-effect of the fire was soot accumulation, which created a waxy, relatively impermeable layer on some blocks. This layer repelled water and hindered salt ingress, but eventually detached when salt, able to enter the substrate through more permeable areas, concentrated and crystallized behind it, resulting in rapid weight loss and accelerated decay. Copyright ©2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Proton Probing Measurement of Electric and Magnetic Fields Generated by ns and ps Laser-Matter Interactions

The use of laser-accelerated protons as a particle probe for the detection of electric fields in plasmas has led in recent years to a wealth of novel information regarding the ultrafast plasma dynamics following high intensity laser-matter interactions. The high spatial quality and short duration of these beams have been essential to this purpose. We will discuss some of the most recent results obtained with this diagnostic at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK) and at LULI - Ecole Polytechnique (France), also applied to conditions of interest to conventional Inertial Confinement Fusion. In particular, the technique has been used to measure electric fields responsible for proton acceleration from solid targets irradiated with ps pulses, magnetic fields formed by ns pulse irradiation of solid targets, and electric fields associated with the ponderomotive channelling of ps laser pulses in under-dense plasmas.

Reduced-size polarized basis sets for calculations of molecular electric properties. III. Second-row atoms

Reduced-size polarized (ZmPolX) basis sets are developed for the second-row atoms X = Si, P, S, and Cl. The generation of these basis sets follows from a simple physical model of the polarization effect of the external electric field which leads to highly compact polarization functions to be added to the chosen initial basis set. The performance of the ZmPolX sets has been investigated in calculations of molecular dipole moments and polarizabilities. Only a small deterioration of the quality of the calculated molecular electric properties has been found. Simultaneously the size of the present reduced-size ZmPolX basis sets is about one-third smaller than that of the usual polarized (PolX) sets. This reduction considerably widens the range of applications of the ZmPolX sets in calculations of molecular dipole moments, dipole polarizabilities, and related properties.