Laser Matter Interactions

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The proposed research program applies theoretical and numerical methods to studies of laser interactions with matter over broad range of laser intensities and laser pulse durations with applications to diverse physics problems from the inertial confinement fusion and relativistic plasmas to biomedical applications in cytometry and hadron therapy. This program deals with fundamental physics of strongly driven nonlinear waves and plasma kinetic theory and addresses many applications related to fusion energy, new medical diagnostics and treatment methods. The following subject areas provide the focus for the proposed studies: Inertial Confinement Fusion and Laboratory Astrophysics. The large scale laser facility, such as National Ignition Facility (NIF) has created plasmas characterized by unique range of parameters. We will contribute to two key areas of research related to fusion, mainly nonlocal electron transport and nonlinear theory of scattering instabilities. Large scale plasmas have been also used to study processes of the relevance to astrophysics such as collisionless shocks, counter-streaming plasma instabilities, magnetic field generation and magnetic field reconnection. Laser Electron Accelerators and Electron Driven Radiation Sources. This project will advance through Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations a design of the tabletop electron accelerators using high intensity laser pulses to efficiently couple laser energy into relativistic, up to multi-GeV, electrons. This is done via the generation of large amplitude relativistic plasma waves in the “wake” of a short laser pulse propagating through a low density plasma. Central to this project will be development of the new undulator based tunable source of hard coherent x-rays in collaboration with the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon. Laser Proton and Ion Acceleration. We will explore various applications of laser generated energetic (multi MeV) proton and ion beams. Laser plasma sources of ion beams hold the potential of producing energetic proton beams that can be manipulated in space and energy to yield new technological and scientific applications in: inertial confinement fusion by ion fast ignition, nuclear physics, ion radiography, hadron therapy, neutron sources, deep ion implantation and short lived radioactive isotopes production for medical applications. We propose comprehensive program on proton acceleration for cancer therapy. Optimal laser plasma target design by 3D PIC codes and integration of the proton beams into the delivery system and patient treatment will be studied. High-Energy Density Physics. This research program will be focused on generation of high density (compressed solid density) relativistic plasmas by the petawatt scale laser pulses. This research will provide new understanding of laser pulse absorption, harmonic generation, transport and instabilities of the relativistic electrons. In collaboration with the Linac Coherent Light Source at SLAC we will contribute to the development of detailed pump-probe studies that will employ first-principles x-ray scattering techniques to measure and uncover the underlying physics mechanism that determine the interaction of ultra intense laser beams with matter. Development of Laser Light Scattering Method for the Identification and Sorting of Biological Cells. In this interdisciplinary research program involving medical, engineering and our group we propose to use laser light scattering for the characterization and discrimination of blood cells. With help of numerical simulations using Maxwell equation solver Aether we will demonstrate the discrimination of blood cells and and continue development of the optical/microfluidic technology for the sorting of cells.