Theoretical and numerical investigation of collective effects in extreme laser-plasma interaction
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The proposed research project focuses on theoretical and numerical investigations of the physics of laser-matter interaction at ultra-high laser intensities, in the range 10^22-10^24 W/cm^2. These intensities will soon be achievable at multi-petawatt laser facilities, such as the 800MEuro extreme light infrastructure (ELI) and APOLLON-10P. These facilities will enable the exploration of new fundamental physical processes such as radiation reaction, relativistic electron dynamics, electron-positron pair production and the generation of relativistic ions. Electrons produce significant synchrotron radiation at laser intensities above 10^22 W/cm^2 giving rise to the radiation reaction force that strongly affects the photon emission spectrum and the overall plasma dynamics. Due to the intense electromagnetic fields involved, quantum effects will become important for laser intensities above 10^23W/cm^2, resulting in the production of copious amounts of electron-positron pairs. My proposal aims to explore the underpinning physics of these proposes theoretically and numerically. The results will be used to guide the design and interpretation of related experiments using these new ultraintense laser systems.
The proposed research project opens up new directions in ultra-relativistic plasmas that are subject to quantum electrodynamics (QED) processes. For example, to date, the role of the plasma ions on the high energy synchrotron radiation and electron-positron pair production, is poorly understood and has never been explored experimentally. It is often suggested that the interaction of a short laser pulse with plasmas is dominated by the electron dynamics and that the ions play a secondary role due to the longer timescales over which they react. Although this may be true for lower laser intensities, the situation becomes more complicated in the case of ultra-relativistic laser pulses for which the quiver electron energy could be comparable with the ion rest mass. The collective effects driven by the ion response will be investigated in both semi-classical plasmas and quantum plasmas. A kinetic theory of laser energy absorption accounting for ion response will be developed over this proposed research project. Future experiments, which will test the predictions of the theory and simulations, will also be designed.
The project involves collaboration with a number of leading researchers in high field laser-plasma interaction physics, both in the UK and in Europe. It also involves a close collaboration with an experimental team at the University of Strathclyde and with the ELI-NP high field science working group.
The proposed research project opens up new directions in ultra-relativistic plasmas that are subject to quantum electrodynamics (QED) processes. For example, to date, the role of the plasma ions on the high energy synchrotron radiation and electron-positron pair production, is poorly understood and has never been explored experimentally. It is often suggested that the interaction of a short laser pulse with plasmas is dominated by the electron dynamics and that the ions play a secondary role due to the longer timescales over which they react. Although this may be true for lower laser intensities, the situation becomes more complicated in the case of ultra-relativistic laser pulses for which the quiver electron energy could be comparable with the ion rest mass. The collective effects driven by the ion response will be investigated in both semi-classical plasmas and quantum plasmas. A kinetic theory of laser energy absorption accounting for ion response will be developed over this proposed research project. Future experiments, which will test the predictions of the theory and simulations, will also be designed.
The project involves collaboration with a number of leading researchers in high field laser-plasma interaction physics, both in the UK and in Europe. It also involves a close collaboration with an experimental team at the University of Strathclyde and with the ELI-NP high field science working group.
Planned Impact
The proposed project focuses on theoretical and numerical investigation of the collective dynamics of charged particles in plasma physics at ultra-high laser intensities. This is an important new field of research with significant potential impact, both academic and non-academic. At the field intensities to be explored in this project, radiation reaction will not just be significant but will dominate the electron dynamics. A significant fraction of the laser energy will be converted into high energy synchrotron radiation via ultra-relativistic electrons accelerated in ultra-strong electromagnetic fields. Simulations predict that the most intense source of gamma-rays ever produce in a laboratory could be produced in this way. Such an intense and ultra-short pulse source of high energy photon radiation is likely to be applicable in industry and society (e.g. as intense, deep-penetrating probe of materials, or for medical radioisotope production or imaging). In addition, the onset radiation reaction changes the radiation pressure exerted by the laser pulse on the target plasma, which in turn changes the physics of laser-driven ion acceleration. This in turn will impact the development of such sources for hadron therapy for example. The results of the proposed result programme will be used to develop a theoretical underpinning of high field laser-plasma physics and thus the development of these unique particle and radiation sources as driven by ultra-intense laser pulses.
The proposed research project will also provide opportunities for training PhD students in numerical simulations and modelling. It will involve a substantial amount of accurate numerical simulations and data analysis. This will impact on the need for skilled scientists in the UK and thus contribute to the UK economy beyond the end of the grant.
Finally, the new regime of high field physics to be explored in this project involves quantum processes and laboratory astrophysics, which are topics of wide public interest. The project will impact on the public interest and understanding of science.
The proposed research project will also provide opportunities for training PhD students in numerical simulations and modelling. It will involve a substantial amount of accurate numerical simulations and data analysis. This will impact on the need for skilled scientists in the UK and thus contribute to the UK economy beyond the end of the grant.
Finally, the new regime of high field physics to be explored in this project involves quantum processes and laboratory astrophysics, which are topics of wide public interest. The project will impact on the public interest and understanding of science.
People |
ORCID iD |
Remi Capdessus (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Del Sorbo D
(2018)
Efficient ion acceleration and dense electron-positron plasma creation in ultra-high intensity laser-solid interactions
in New Journal of Physics
Duff MJ
(2020)
High order mode structure of intense light fields generated via a laser-driven relativistic plasma aperture.
in Scientific reports
Capdessus R
(2020)
High-density electron-ion bunch formation and multi-GeV positron production via radiative trapping in extreme-intensity laser-plasma interactions
in New Journal of Physics
Duff M
(2018)
Modelling the effects of the radiation reaction force on the interaction of thin foils with ultra-intense laser fields
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Duff M
(2019)
Multi-stage scheme for nonlinear Breit-Wheeler pair-production utilising ultra-intense laser-solid interactions
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Higginson A
(2018)
Near-100 MeV protons via a laser-driven transparency-enhanced hybrid acceleration scheme.
in Nature communications
Gonzalez-Izquierdo B
(2018)
Radiation Pressure-Driven Plasma Surface Dynamics in Ultra-Intense Laser Pulse Interactions with Ultra-Thin Foils
in Applied Sciences
Capdessus R
(2018)
Relativistic Doppler-boosted ?-rays in High Fields.
in Scientific reports
King M
(2019)
Role of magnetic field evolution on filamentary structure formation in intense laser-foil interactions
in High Power Laser Science and Engineering
Title | Data for: "Relativistic Doppler-boosted gamma-rays in High Fields" |
Description | The attached data corresponds to the simulation results included in the article "Relativistic Doppler-boosted gamma-rays in High Fields". The dataset comprises of 9 files of simulation data created using EPOCH version 4.8.3. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | Data for: "Role of magnetic field evolution on filamentary structure formation in intense laser-foil interactions" |
Description | This data corresponds to the experimental and simulation results reported in the publication "Role of magnetic field evolution on filamentary structure formation in intense laser-foil interactions". Simulation data was generated by running EPOCH version 4.8.3 with the input.deck files included. Experimental data was obtained as described in the publication. Data embargo until 28/02/19 |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Christopher Ridgers |
Organisation | University of York |
Department | York Plasma Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration fits in my own research project since it is devoted to the exploration of phenomena occurring in extreme condition, by using an ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulse interacting with a plasma medium. My expertise into high field plasma physics is an essential element for this collaboration. Indeed, in the first outcome of this collaboration, published in the peer-review journal "New Journal of Physics", I brought my intellectual expertise. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr Christopher Ridgers, as established academic researcher, has great expertise in high field plasma physics. His expertise is and will be beneficial for the collaboration. |
Impact | Among this collaboration, the following paper have been published whose the weblink is: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/aaae61. Besides, two other papers are currently under review. |
Start Year | 2017 |