Modeling target bulk heating resulting from ultra-intense short pulse laser irradiation of solid density targets

Isochoric heating of solid-density matter up to a few tens of eV is of interest for investigating astrophysical or inertial fusion scenarios. Such ultra-fast heating can be achieved via the energy deposition of short-pulse laser generated electrons. Here, we report on experimental measurements of this process by means of time-and space-resolved optical interferometry. Our results are found in reasonable agreement with a simple numerical model of fast electron-induced heating. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

Multichannel interference in high-order-harmonic generation from Ne+ driven by an ultrashort intense laser pulse

We apply the time-dependent R-matrix method to investigate harmonic generation from Ne+ at a wavelength of 390 nm and intensities up to 1015 W cm−2. The 1s22s22p4 (3Pe,1De, and 1Se) states of Ne2+ are included as residual-ion states to assess the influence of interference between photoionization channels associated with these thresholds. The harmonic spectrum is well approximated by calculations in which only the 3Pe and 1De thresholds are taken into account, but no satisfactory spectrum is obtained when a single threshold is taken into account. Within the harmonic plateau, extending to about 100 eV, individual harmonics can be suppressed at particular intensities when all Ne2+ thresholds are taken into account. The suppression is not observed when only a single threshold is accounted for. Since the suppression is dependent on intensity, it may be difficult to observe experimentally.

Effect of magnetic bias on Gaussian pulse scattering by stacked nonlinear semiconductor layers

The nonlinear scattering of pulses by periodic stacks of semiconductor layers with magnetic bias has been studied in the self-consistent problem formulation, taking into account mobility of carriers. The three-wave mixing technique has been applied to the analysis of the waveform evolution in the stacks illuminated by two Gaussian pulses with different central frequencies and lengths. The effects of external magnetic bias, and stack physical and geometrical parameters on the properties of the scattered waveforms are discussed. © 2013 IEEE.

Dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission efficiency on pulse ellipticity and implications for polarization gating

The polarization dependence of laser-driven coherent synchrotron emission transmitted through thin foils is investigated experimentally. The harmonic generation process is seen to be almost completely suppressed for circular polarization opening up the possibility of producing isolated attosecond pulses via polarization gating. Particle-in-cell simulations suggest that current laser pulses are capable of generating isolated attosecond pulses with high pulse energies.

Enhanced proton beam collimation in the ultra-intense short pulse regime

The collimation of proton beams accelerated during ultra-intense laser irradiation of thin aluminum foils was measured experimentally whilst varying laser contrast. Increasing the laser contrast using a double plasma mirror system resulted in a marked decrease in proton beam divergence (20° to <10°), and the enhanced collimation persisted over a wide range of target thicknesses (50 nm–6 µm), with an increased flux towards thinner targets. Supported by numerical simulation, the larger beam divergence at low contrast is attributed to the presence of a significant plasma scale length on the target front surface. This alters the fast electron generation and injection into the target, affecting the resultant sheath distribution and dynamics at the rear target surface. This result demonstrates that careful control of the laser contrast will be important for future laser-driven ion applications in which control of beam divergence is crucial.

Expansion of pulse responses from temporal analysis of products (TAP) pulse responses for more accurate data analysis

TAP pulse responses are normally analysed using moments, which are integrals of the full TAP pulse response. However, in some cases the entire pulse response may not be recorded due to technical reasons, thereby compromising any data analysis due to moments generated from incomplete pulse responses. The current work discloses the development of a function which mathematically expands the tail of a TAP pulse response, so that the TAP data analysis can be accurately conducted. This newly developed analysis method has been applied to the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over Co–Cr–Sn–WOx/α-Al2O3 and Co–Cr–Sn–WOx/α-Al2O3 catalysts as a case study.

Gaussian pulse mixing by stacked semiconductor layers

The nonlinear scattering of two Gaussian pulses with different central frequencies incident at slant angles on the periodic stack of binary semiconductor layers has been modelled in the self-consistent problem formulation taking into account the dynamics of charges. The effects of the pump pulse length and central frequencies, and the stack physical and geometrical parameters on the properties of the emitted combinatorial frequency waveforms are analysed and discussed.

Demonstration of laser pulse amplication by stimulated Brillouin scattering

The energy transfer by stimulated Brillouin backscatter from a long pump pulse (15 ps) to a short seed pulse (1 ps)has been investigated in a proof-of-principle demonstration experiment. The two pulses were both amplified in differentbeamlines of a Nd:glass laser system, had a central wavelength of 1054 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 2 nm, and crossedeach other in an underdense plasma in a counter-propagating geometry, off-set by 10◦. It is shown that the energy transferand the wavelength of the generated Brillouin peak depend on the plasma density, the intensity of the laser pulses, and thecompetition between two-plasmon decay and stimulated Raman scatter instabilities. The highest obtained energy transferfrom pump to probe pulse is 2.5%, at a plasma density of 0.17ncr, and this energy transfer increases significantly withplasma density. Therefore, our results suggest that much higher efficiencies can be obtained when higher densities (above0.25ncr) are used.

Pulse mixing by Fibonacci and Thue-Morse ordered semiconductor layers

The properties of combinatorial frequency generation by two-tone Gaussian pulses incident at oblique angles on quasiperiodic (Fibonacci and Thue-Morse) stacks of binary semiconductor layers are discussed. The analysis has been performed using the self-consistent model taking into account the nonlinear dynamics of mobile charges in the layers. The effects of the stack arrangements and constituent layer parameters on the combinatorial frequency waveforms are presented for the specific structures of both types

Intense Attosecond Pulse Trains from Relativistic Surface Plasmas

We report on the unequal spacing attosecond pulse trains from relativistic surface plasmas. The surface high harmonics efficiency is determined and could be enhanced using an optimized plasma scale length and density.

Critical evaluation of pulse-echo ultrasonic test method for the determination of setting and mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement: Influence of mixing technique

Currently there is no reliable objective method to quantify the setting properties of acrylic bone cements within an operating theatre environment. Ultrasonic technology can be used to determine the acoustic properties of the polymerising bone cement, which are linked to material properties and provide indications of the physical and chemical changes occurring within the cement. The focus of this study was the critical evaluation of pulse-echo ultrasonic test method in determining the setting and mechanical properties of three different acrylic bone cement when prepared under atmospheric and vacuum mixing conditions. Results indicated that the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique provided a highly reproducible and accurate method of monitoring the polymerisation reaction and indicating the principal setting parameters when compared to ISO 5833 standard, irrespective of the acrylic bone cement or mixing method used. However, applying the same test method to predict the final mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement did not prove a wholly accurate approach. Inhomogeneities within the cement microstructure and specimen geometry were found to have a significant influence on mechanical property predictions. Consideration of all the results suggests that the non-invasive and non-destructive pulse-echo ultrasonic test method is an effective and reliable method for following the full polymerisation reaction of acrylic bone cement in real-time and then determining the setting properties within a surgical theatre environment. However the application of similar technology for predicting the final mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement on a consistent basis may prove difficult.

Intense attosecond pulse trains from relativistic surface plasmas

We report on the unequal spacing attosecond pulse trains from relativistic surface plasmas. The surface high harmonics efficiency is determined and could be enhanced using an optimized plasma scale length and density.