Collaborative Research: Enhancement of Relativistic Nonlinear Interactions Using Wavelength-Scale Particles

这项合作实验研究计划将使用飞秒激光脉冲聚焦到每平方厘米10^17 - 10^19瓦的强度，以检查液滴的高强度非线性光学特性。 PI的目的是回答光在相对论强度下如何与大小与光波长相当的粒子相互作用的问题。 通过测量（a）电子能谱和由此产生的硬X射线发射，以及（B）当电子被强烈驱动围绕粒子时产生的非线性极化率导致的高次谐波产生，将探测相互作用。 将采用各种预脉冲技术来控制粒子表面的电离水平及其等离子体尺度长度。 最终，这里提出的实验将研究当物质由粒子组成时发生的光-物质相互作用，这些粒子被制造成与辐射场共振。该计划的更广泛的影响将显着增加的范围和数量的研究机会提供给物理学学生在哈维穆德，并将支持研究生在德州大学的教育。奥斯汀

This collaborative experimental research program will use femtosecond laser pulses focused to intensities of 10^17 - 10^19 Watts per square centimeter to examine the high intensity nonlinear optical properties of droplets. The PI's intend to answer the question of how light at relativistic intensity interacts with particles comparable in size to the light's wavelength. The interaction will be probed by measuring (a) the electron energy spectrum and hard x-ray emission that result from it, and (b) the high order harmonic generation that results from the nonlinear polarizability created when electrons are strongly driven around the particles. A variety of prepulse techniques will be employed to control the level of ionization on the particle surface and its plasma scale length. Ultimately, the experiments proposed here will study light-matter interactions that take place when the matter consists of particles that have been fabricated to respond resonantly with the irradiating field. The broader impact of the program will significantly add to the scope and number of research opportunities available to physics students at Harvey Mudd, and will support the education of graduate students at U.T. Austin.