New frontiers in intense laser-matter interactions

强烈激光与物质相互作用的新领域

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-04373
• 负责人: Hussein, Amina
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=742994
• 关键词: New; frontiers; intense; laser; matter

The Nobel Prize winning technology of Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) invented by Prof. Donna Strickland and Prof. Gérard Mourou in 1985 has revolutionized laser-plasma physics through the realization of laboratory-scale laser systems capable of producing high power, femtosecond duration pulses. Such extreme levels of peak power have led to a new generation of bright particle and radiation sources over a broad spectrum of energies and wavelengths, each inheriting femtosecond-scale duration from the driving laser pulse. CPA laser systems can also be used to drive matter into extreme states of temperature and pressure, mimicking those typically found in astrophysical environments, and leading to the observation of new and exotic states of matter on Earth. Understanding the properties and generation of this matter is an essential component of describing the conditions of stellar interiors, including our Sun, and for the development of controlled fusion-energy devices. However, an accurate description of these exotic states remains an experimental and theoretical challenge, significantly complicated by its highly transient nature, requiring experimental diagnostics capable of resolving dynamic processes on the ultra-fast (picosecond-femtosecond) timescale. The proposed research program pursues advanced understanding of high-energy-density states of matter through first-of-their-kind high spectral and temporal resolution experiments, and works toward a new generation of ultrafast probes and inspection techniques using laser-driven particle beams, X-rays and infrared sources to put Canadian research centers and industries at the forefront of laser-based innovations. Further, these advanced laser technologies can be used to develop affordable, flexible and compact multi-MeV electron, proton and gamma-ray radiation sources suitable for medical treatments and applications. This research will provide unique opportunities for the training of highly qualified personnel through regular hands-on experiments with high-intensity laser experimental facilities at the University of Alberta and international collaborations on large-scale laser systems around the world.

由Donna Strickland教授和Gérard Mourou教授于1985年发明的Chirped Pulse Amplification（CPA）技术获得了诺贝尔奖，通过实现能够产生高功率飞秒脉冲的实验室规模激光系统，彻底改变了激光等离子体物理学。这种极端水平的峰值功率已经导致了新一代的明亮粒子和辐射源，它们具有广泛的能量和波长，每个都继承了驱动激光脉冲的飞秒级持续时间。CPA激光系统还可用于将物质驱动到极端的温度和压力状态，模拟天体物理环境中通常存在的状态，并导致对地球上物质的新的和奇异的状态进行观测。了解这种物质的性质和产生是描述恒星内部（包括我们的太阳）的条件以及开发受控聚变能源设备的重要组成部分。然而，这些奇异状态的准确描述仍然是一个实验和理论上的挑战，其高度瞬态性质显着复杂，需要实验诊断能够解决超快（皮秒-飞秒）时间尺度上的动态过程。 拟议的研究计划追求先进的理解高能量密度状态的物质通过第一种高光谱和时间分辨率的实验，并致力于新一代超快探头和检查技术使用激光驱动粒子束，X射线和红外光源把加拿大的研究中心和行业的前沿激光为基础的创新。此外，这些先进的激光技术可用于开发适用于医疗和应用的经济、灵活和紧凑的多MeV电子、质子和伽马射线辐射源。这项研究将通过在阿尔伯塔大学的高强度激光实验设施进行定期的实际操作实验以及在世界各地就大型激光系统进行国际合作，为培训高素质的人员提供独特的机会。