Ionization Waves of Arbitrary Velocity

ORAL

Abstract

Flying focus is a technique that uses a chirped laser beam focused by a highly chromatic lens to produce an extended focal region within which the peak laser intensity can propagate at any velocity [1]. When that intensity is high enough to ionize a background gas, an ionization wave will track the intensity isosurface corresponding to the ionization threshold [2]. We report on the demonstration of such ionization waves of arbitrary velocity (IWAV’s) [3]. Subluminal and superluminal ionization fronts were produced that propagated both forward and backward relative to the ionizing laser. All backward and all superluminal cases mitigated the issue of ionization-induced refraction that typically inhibits the formation of long, contiguous plasma channels. IWAV’s can be used to optimize plasma-based laser amplifiers [4], photon accelerators, and many other applications.

[1] D.H. Froula et al., Nat. Photonics 12, 262 (2018).

[2] J. P. Palastro et al., Phys. Rev. A 97, 033835 (2018).

[3] D. Turnbull et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 225001 (2018).

[4] D. Turnbull et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 024801 (2018).

–

Presenters

  • David Turnbull

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

Authors

  • David Turnbull

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Philip Franke

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Joe Katz

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Univ of Rochester, University of Rochester

  • John P. Palastro

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Ildar A. Begishev

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Robert Boni

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Jake Bromage

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Avram Milder

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Jessie L. Shaw

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, NY, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Dustin H Froula

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Univ of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, University of Rochester