Enhancement of laser intensity and proton acceleration using micro-tube plasma lens targets
Abstract
A hollow, cylindrical, micron-scale structure is proposed to enhance and manipulate the laser plasma interaction. It is shown through 3-D particle-in-cell simulations that the incident laser pulse intensity is enhanced within the tube. A detailed study of the intensification optimizes the tube dimensions and provides a characterization of the in-tube intensity. By coupling the micro-tube plasma lens to a traditional flat interface, we show an increase in on-target intensity. We detail proton energy enhancement as a potential application of the micro-tube plasma lens target, where the tube structure focuses the light and provides additional electrons that enhance the accelerating sheath field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4972577
Entities
People
- Jenna Snyder
- K. U. Akli
- Liangliang Ji
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Ohio State University
- Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics