Non-linear Optics in Plasmas at Ultra-high Intensities

有可能使用气体靶作为基于等离子体的光学设备来操纵超高能量密度的激光脉冲。一些模拟和理论提供了将等离子体用作光学设备的诱人一瞥。如果这些效应能够被控制，那么可以通过改变激光能量方向、改善聚焦特性、压缩和引导脉冲、加宽脉冲频谱以及消除前后脉冲来调整激光的传播和适用性。在这个项目的过程中，PI和研究生打算进行实验和数值工作，以了解密歇根大学大力神激光系统上可用的超高强度下的非线性光学效应。在展示了激光脉冲的光学控制之后，修改后的定制脉冲可以用于激光驱动的粒子加速，既可以通过辐射压力加速固体目标质子，也可以通过气体射流中电子的激光尾场加速。这项研究可能会带来操作激光脉冲的新的实用技术，用于超强应用。通过实施在研究过程中学到的技术，粒子加速的稳定性得到改善，粒子束的质量应该更高，这项建议已提交给NSF-DOE在等离子体科学和工程方面的合作伙伴关系08-589。该奖项由物理系等离子体物理项目资助。

There is the possibility of using gas targets as plasma based optical devices to manipulate laser pulses of ultra-high energy density. Some simulations and theory have offered tantalizing glimpses of the use of plasma as an optical device. If these effects could be controlled, then the propagation and applicability of the laser could be tailored by redirecting the laser energy, improving the focusing properties, compressing and guiding the pulse, broadening the pulse spectrum and eliminating pre- and post-pulses. In the course of this project, the PI and graduate students intend to perform experiments and numerical work to understand non-linear optical effects at the ultra-high intensities available on the Hercules laser system at the University of Michigan. Following demonstrations of optical control of the laser pulse, the modified, tailored pulses could then be used for laser-driven particle acceleration, both solid target proton acceleration by radiation pressure acceleration and laser wakefield acceleration of electrons in a gas jet.This research may lead to new practical techniques for manipulating laser pulses for ultra-intense applications. By implementing the techniques learnt during the course of the research, improved stability for particle acceleration, and particle beams of higher quality should resultThis proposal was submitted to the NSF-DoE Partnership in Plasma Science and Engineering joint solicitation 08-589. This award is being funded by the Plasma Physics Program in the Division of Physics.