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Experimental investigation of the magnetic vortex acceleration regime

ORAL

Abstract

Magnetic Vortex Acceleration (MVA), an advanced ion acceleration mechanism, requires an ultra-high intensity and contrast laser pulse combined with a near-critical density target that is matched to the laser parameters. Theoretically, these conditions result in high energy, well-collimated ion beams, directional electron beams, and gamma-ray generation. A series of 3D particle-in-cell simulations were performed to aid with experimental preparation and to study the electromagnetic field evolution and the properties of accelerated beams under realistic experimental conditions. We report on simulation and experimental results, investigating this regime using the newly commissioned high intensity beamline at the BELLA Center, iP2. The acceleration mechanism is studied with a diverse set of diagnostics monitoring the properties of the generated ions, electrons, x-rays and gamma-rays as well as the transmitted and reflected laser light.

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Presenters

  • Sahel Hakimi

    Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Authors

  • Sahel Hakimi

    Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Lieselotte Obst-Huebl

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Stepan S Bulanov

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, LBNL, LBL

  • Kei Nakamura

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Axel Huebl

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Jared T De Chant

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Aodhan McIlvenny

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Kelly K Swanson

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Elizabeth S Grace

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Raspberry Simpson

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Jackson G Williams

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab

  • Derek Mariscal

    Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

  • Scott C Wilks

    Northwind Services, LLNL

  • Brendan L Stassel

    University of Michigan

  • Louise Willingale

    University of Michigan

  • Thomas Schenkel

    Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Jean-Luc Vay

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Carl B Schroeder

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Anthony J Gonsalves

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Jeroen v van Tilborg

    Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, USA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Eric H Esarey

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Cameron Geddes

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory