proton beams for fast ignition: control of the energy spectrum
DESCRIPTION
Proton Beams for Fast Ignition: Control of the Energy Spectrum. A.P.L.Robinson 1 D.Neely 1 , P.McKenna 2 , R.G.Evans 1,4 ,C-G.W ahlström 3 ,F.Linau 3 , O.Lundh 3 1 Central Laser Facility, Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, UK 2 University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Proton Beams for Fast Ignition:Control of the Energy Spectrum
A.P.L.Robinson1
D.Neely1, P.McKenna2, R.G.Evans1,4,C-G.Wahlström3,F.Linau3, O.Lundh3
1Central Laser Facility, Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, UK2 University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
3Lund Laser Institute, Sweden4Imperial College London, UK
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Spectral Modification for Proton FI
• Quasi-monoenergetic experimental results in 2006.(Hegelich et al. Nature 439 (2006))
• This may help proton driven Fast Ignition.(Temporal et al.,PoP 9 (2002))
• Spectral Modification w/o “Energy Slicing” + all optical approach.
• We studied whether the use of multiple high-intensity laser pulses can produce useful spectral modification.
• Carried out Vlasov and PIC simulations.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Is there a theoretical basis for this?
Grismayer and Mora, PoP 13 (2006)•Single species•Hybrid•Exponential density profile•Zero velocity in pre-expanded tailbut …•Wave-breaking•Transient features in spectra
Equal pulses: Why shouldn’tthis just be very similar to onepulse?
1.Max. Energy reduced.2.Some part of the spectrumIs enhanced.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Vlasov simulations• 1D1P Eulerian Upwind method.• Large plasma near solid density (186μm); 40nm contamination layer• Contains a “Set-up” pulse of electrons + a “Main drive” pulse of
electrons.• Sub-question: Does this work within TNSA alone?• 2 ion species; 2 temperature
SUP = Set-Up PulseMDP = Main Drive Pulse
C4+CH2
40nm
186μm = rear surf.
SUPMDP
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Results
A.P.L.RobinsonCLF
•See a reduction in Emax.•Fewer high energy protons.•Interestingly we have produceda spectral peak.•Simulations run for 750fs.•Proton source layer close to solid density and has 66% H.
Where did these peaks come from?
Seen at certain values of the set-up pulse temperature only (250-750keV) for standard conditions used.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Two-stage Mechanism
A.P.L.RobinsonCLF
As the hotter MDP arrives → surge in protons across carbonFront → “wave breaking” + peak in proton density
186μm = rear surf.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
The Second stagePeak in proton density → “E-field alterations” (spike) →
accumulation of protons in phase space.
A.P.L.RobinsonCLF
186μm = rear surf.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
SensitivityAlso tried reducing density of SUP to 5 x 1026 and 2.5 x 1026m-3
Peaks still occur. Not a “chaotic” sensitivity to initial conditions
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
PIC simulations
• 1D3P EM PIC code used.• 400nm foil at 4 x 1028 H & 4 x 1028 heavy ion (80ncrit)• Foil placed at 60μm• 40fs sin2 pulses MDP a0 = 4• Comparison run with MDP only.
MDP
SUP
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PIC Results
SUP a0 = 2: Red SUP a0 = 1:Magenta Single Pulse Ref.: Black
We obtain similar results to Vlasov simulations
Reduction inEmax
Spectral Peaks
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
But is this the same mechanism?
A.P.L.RobinsonCLF
Consider run II (SUP a0 = 2)
So the first stage is v.similar, but no `wave-breaking’
Still see 2-stagemechansim. Protondensity spike produced
Protons
Heavy ions
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
But is this the same mechanism? (II)
2 pulse
Second Stage
1 pulse
E-field
Proton /Ion Density
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
But is this the same mechanism?(III)
Second stage is then very similar in run II
protons heavy ions
This feature gives the peak.
•‘wave-breaking’ eventprobably incidental tosome initial conditions.•Appears to be the same mechanism.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
…and some issues (I).Simulations at reduced density (10ncrit) result in over-optimistic predictions.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
…and some issues (II).Heavy ions aren’t critical to this process:
This is not a target composition effect!
Red = Pure proton target. Black = Proton + Heavy Ion.
A.P.L.Robinson
CLF
Conclusions
• Can multiple 10-100fs ultraintense laser pulses result in a modified proton spectrum?
• Yes, on the basis of our Vlasov and PIC simulations which both agree on this question.
A.P.L.RobinsonCLF
•Level of modification may be interesting to proton FI•Optical Approach:More practical + better for high rep. rate?•This is the start of an investigation that requires more work. •Future work needs more realism, but also a better understanding so that we can control this.