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4-21 Scott Final Diss.pdf (6.87 MB)

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Efficient Acceleration of Electrons by an Intense Laser and its Reflection

Feister, Scott
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3588-9025
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461225902

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Physics.
Here I present an experimental, theoretical, and computational exploration of an extremely efficient scheme for laser-based acceleration of electrons. A series of experiments were performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, OH, to show that a high-repetition-rate short-pulse laser (3 mJ, 40 fs, 1 kHz) normally incident on a continuous water stream can accelerate electrons in the back-reflection spray with >1% laser-to-electron efficiency for electrons >120 keV, and with >MeV electron energies present in large number. Characterization of the accelerated electrons was followed by explorations of appropriate focal conditions, pre-plasma conditions, and laser-intensity parameters. These experiments show clear signatures of plasma instabilities, with substantial 3ω/2 and ω/2 optical harmonics detected concurrently with efficient electron acceleration. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of high-intensity laser interactions are able to reproduce the electron energies and acceleration efficiencies, as well as plasma instabilities. Analysis of the simulations suggest that electrons are accelerated by a standing wave established between incident and reflected light, coupled with direct laser acceleration by reflected light. Using hydrodynamic simulations of the laser pre-pulse interaction as initial conditions for PIC simulations of the main-pulse interaction clarifies mechanisms by which experimental manipulation of pre-pulse has effectively determined electron-acceleration efficiency in the laboratory.
Richard R. Freeman (Advisor)
Linn D. Van Woerkom (Committee Member)
Junko Shigemitsu (Committee Member)
Michael Lisa (Committee Member)
151 p.
Physics
electron acceleration; high-intensity lasers; laser-plasma accelerator; high energy density physics; HEDP; standing wave; direct laser acceleration; electron spectrum; MeV; Particle-in-cell; PIC; FLASH; hydrodynamic; simulation; plasma physics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Feister, S. (2016). Efficient Acceleration of Electrons by an Intense Laser and its Reflection [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461225902

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Feister, Scott. Efficient Acceleration of Electrons by an Intense Laser and its Reflection. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461225902.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Feister, Scott. "Efficient Acceleration of Electrons by an Intense Laser and its Reflection." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461225902

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1461225902
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.