Plasma lens focusing for multi-petawatt lasers

ORAL

Abstract

A plasma lens provides the focusing power of a small f-number$_{\mathrm{\thinspace }}$solid-state lens at a fraction of the diameter. These lenses offer flexibility to multi-petawatt (MPW) laser systems where the final focusing optic is likely a large, one-of-a-kind parabolic mirror that fixes the f-number for all experiments. Here, we examine plasma lenses for MPW systems using a combination of a computationally efficient, nonlinear thin-lens model that captures high-order optical aberrations and 3D PIC simulations. We identify parameters such as lens location and curvature, and plasma density that minimize aberrations and provide the highest focused intensity.

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Authors

  • John Palastro

    Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Div., Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Research Lab

  • Daniel Gordon

    Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Div., Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, Naval Research Lab

  • Richard Hubbard

    Naval Research Laboratory

  • Bahman Hafizi

    Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Research Lab

  • Michael Helle

    Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Div., Naval Research Laboratory, US Naval Research Laboratory, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, Naval Research Lab

  • Dmitri Kaganovich

    Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Research Lab