Developing a versatile next-generation liquid sheet target for studies in high repetition rate & high-power laser-matter interactions

Liquid sheet platforms offer a variety of research applications when used with high repetition rate and high-power lasers. These include ion acceleration mechanisms [1], materials research relevant to Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) systems with neutron sources [2], and nanoparticle sample delivery [3]. Previous platforms employed a replenishing liquid target with thicknesses ranging from a few microns to sub-micron by driving water through a narrow channel made of etched glass [4] or etched Tungsten [2] pressed against a flat plate of the same material. We have built the next generation of this platform to address key performance issues and are in the process of patenting it. Firstly, we switched the nozzle material from Tungsten to a cheaper, easier to machine one. This maintains sheet stability across multiple days of continuous operation by preventing aperture blockage from oxidized Tungsten particles. Secondly, instead of etching onto a plate, we modified the projection of the channel geometry onto the material which reduced setup expenditure and eliminated undesired liquid leakage. With this upgraded liquid sheet platform, we can create 6mm long, 1.5mm wide, sub-micron thick sheets which we plan to field on PW-class lasers such as ALEPH at CSU.