Thomson Scattering analysis of experimentally-relevant particle-in-cell simulations of magnetized collisionless shocks

Recent experiments have demonstrated collisionless shock generation in the laboratory using high-powered lasers, which are further modeled with particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations [1,2]. We present the results of Thomson diagnostic analysis of two synthetic PIC simulation datasets modeling experimentally-relevant quasi-parallel and quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks. We also evaluate the filamentation risk of the probe beam across a range of densities, temperatures, and laser intensities. These analyses inform the experimental design and diagnostic interpretation of shock formation, particle energization, and beam stability in large-scale laser facilities. One example is the upcoming quasi-parallel shock experiment on the NIF, and similar simulation analysis techniques could be applied to study future laser-plasma experiments.