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Simulations of femtosecond laser pulse interaction with spray target

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2014

J. Psikal ,
O. Klimo  and
J. Limpouch
J. Psikal*
Affiliation:
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Praha, Czech Republic
O. Klimo
Affiliation:
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Praha, Czech Republic
J. Limpouch
Affiliation:
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Praha, Czech Republic
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Jan Psikal, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering CTU, Brehova 7, 115 19 Praha 1, Czech Republic. E-mail: jan.psikal@fjfi.cvut.cz
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Abstract

Laser interactions with spray targets (clouds of submicron droplets) are studied here via numerical simulations using two-dimensional particle-in-cell codes. Our simulations demonstrate an efficient absorption of laser pulse energy inside the spray. The energy absorption efficiency depends on the inter-droplet distance, size of the cloud of droplets, and laser pulse intensity, as well as on the pre-evaporation of droplets due to laser pulse pedestal. We investigate in detail proton acceleration from the spray. Energy spectra of protons in various acceleration directions vary significantly depending on the density profile of the plasma created from the droplets and on laser intensity. The spray target can be alternative of foil targets for high intensity high repetition ultrahigh contrast femtosecond lasers. However, at intensities >1021 W/cm2, the efficiency of laser absorption and ion acceleration from the droplets drops significantly in contrast to foils.

Keywords

Ion accelerationLaser absorptionPIC simulationSpray targetUltrahigh laser intensities
Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , March 2014 , pp. 145 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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