High resolution X-ray spectroscopy in fast electron transport studies

TY - GEN

T1 - High resolution X-ray spectroscopy in fast electron transport studies

AU - Koester, P.

AU - Cecchetti, C.A.

AU - Labate, L.

AU - Gizzia, L.A.

AU - Woolsey, N.

AU - Chen, H.

AU - Evans, Roger

AU - Gregori, G.

AU - Li, B.

AU - Mithen, J.

AU - Murphy, C.

AU - Levato, T.

AU - Makita, M.

AU - Riley, D.

AU - Notley, M.

AU - Pattathil, R.

PY - 2011/1/1

Y1 - 2011/1/1

N2 - A detailed knowledge of the physical phenomena underlying the generation and the transport of fast electrons generated in high-intensity laser-matter interactions is of fundamental importance for the fast ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion. Here we report on an experiment carried out with the VULCAN Petawatt beam and aimed at investigating the role of collisional return currents in the dynamics of the fast electron beam. To that scope, in the experiment counter-propagating electron beams were generated by double-sided irradiation of layered target foils containing a Ti layer. The experimental results were obtained for different time delays between the two laser beams as well as for single-sided irradiation of the target foils. The main diagnostics consisted of two bent mica crystal spectrometers placed at either side of the target foil. High-resolution X-ray spectra of the Ti emission lines in the range from the Lyα to the Kα line were recorded. In addition, 2D X-ray images with spectral resolution were obtained by means of a novel diagnostic technique, the energy-encoded pin-hole camera, based on the use of a pin-hole array equipped with a CCD detector working in single-photon regime. The spectroscopic measurements suggest a higher target temperature for well-aligned laser beams and a precise timing between the two beams. The experimental results are presented and compared to simulation results.

AB - A detailed knowledge of the physical phenomena underlying the generation and the transport of fast electrons generated in high-intensity laser-matter interactions is of fundamental importance for the fast ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion. Here we report on an experiment carried out with the VULCAN Petawatt beam and aimed at investigating the role of collisional return currents in the dynamics of the fast electron beam. To that scope, in the experiment counter-propagating electron beams were generated by double-sided irradiation of layered target foils containing a Ti layer. The experimental results were obtained for different time delays between the two laser beams as well as for single-sided irradiation of the target foils. The main diagnostics consisted of two bent mica crystal spectrometers placed at either side of the target foil. High-resolution X-ray spectra of the Ti emission lines in the range from the Lyα to the Kα line were recorded. In addition, 2D X-ray images with spectral resolution were obtained by means of a novel diagnostic technique, the energy-encoded pin-hole camera, based on the use of a pin-hole array equipped with a CCD detector working in single-photon regime. The spectroscopic measurements suggest a higher target temperature for well-aligned laser beams and a precise timing between the two beams. The experimental results are presented and compared to simulation results.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79960520238&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1117/12.891250

DO - 10.1117/12.891250

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9780819486707

VL - 8080

SP - -

BT - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

A2 - Hein, J

A2 - Silva, LO

A2 - Korn, G

A2 - Gizzi, LA

A2 - Edwards, C

PB - SPIE

CY - BELLINGHAM

T2 - Conference on Diode-Pumped High Energy and High Power Lasers/ELI: Ultrarelativistic Laser-Matter Interactions and Petawatt Photonics/HiPER: the European Pathway to Laser Energy

Y2 - 18 April 2011 through 20 April 2011

ER -