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D Batani

Publications and source records attributed to D Batani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fast-electron transport and heating of solid targets in high-intensity laser interactions measured by K alpha fluorescence.

We present experimental results on fast-electron energy deposition into solid targets in ultrahigh intensity laser-matter interaction. X-ray K alpha emission spectroscopy with absolute photon counting served to diagnose fast-electron propagation in multilayered targets. Target heating was measured from ionization-shifted K alpha emission. Data show a 200 microm fast-electron range in solid Al. The relative intensities of spectrally shifted Al K alpha lines imply a mean temperature of a few tens of eV up to a 100 microm depth. Experimental results suggest refluxing of the electron beam at target rear side. They were compared with the predictions of both a collisional Monte Carlo and a collisional-electromagnetic, particle-fluid transport code. The validity of the code modeling of heating in such highly transient conditions is discussed.

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Hugoniot data of plastic foams obtained from laser-driven shocks.

In this paper we present Hugoniot data for plastic foams obtained with laser-driven shocks. Relative equation-of-state data for foams were obtained using Al as a reference material. The diagnostics consisted in the detection of shock breakout from double layer Al/foam targets. The foams [poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) with density 130 > rho > 60 mg/cm3] were produced at the Institute of Laser Engineering of Osaka University. The experiment was performed using the Prague PALS iodine laser working at 0.44 microm wavelength and irradiances up to a few 10(14) W/cm2. Pressures as high as 3.6 Mbar (previously unreached for such low-density materials) where generated in the foams. Samples with four different values of initial density were used, in order to explore a wider region of the phase diagram. Shock acceleration when the shock crosses the Al/foam interface was also measured.

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Study of ultraintense laser-produced fast-electron propagation and filamentation in insulator and metal foil targets by optical emission diagnostics.

The transport of an intense electron beam produced by ultrahigh intensity laser pulses through metals and insulators has been studied by high resolution imaging of the optical emission from the targets. In metals, the emission is mainly due to coherent transition radiation, while in plastic, it is due to the Cerenkov effect and it is orders of magnitude larger. It is also observed that in the case of insulators the fast-electron beam undergoes strong filamentation and the number of filaments increases with the target thickness. This filamented behavior in insulators is due to the instability of the ionization front related to the electric field ionization process. The filamentary structures characteristic growth rate and characteristic transversal scale are in agreement with analytical predictions.

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Laser-accelerated protons with energy-dependent beam direction.

The spatial distribution of protons, accelerated by intense femtosecond laser pulses interacting with thin target foils under oblique irradiation are investigated. Under certain conditions, the proton beams are directed away from the target normal. This deviation is towards the laser forward direction, with an angle that increases with the level and duration of the amplified spontaneous emission pedestal before the main laser pulse. In addition, for a given laser pulse, this beam deviation increases with proton energy. The observations are discussed in terms of different electron acceleration mechanisms and target normal sheath acceleration, in combination with a laser-controllable shock wave locally deforming the target rear surface.

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Ultraintense laser-produced fast-electron propagation in gas jets.

We study the propagation of fast electrons in a gas at different densities. A large relativistic electron current is produced by focusing a short-pulse ultrahigh-intensity laser on a metallic target. It then propagates in a gas jet placed behind the foil. Shadowgraphy in the gas shows an electron cloud moving at sub-relativistic average velocities. The experiment shows (i) the essential role of the density of background material for allowing propagation of fast electrons, (ii) the importance of the ionization phase which produces free electrons available for the return current, and (iii) the effect of electrostatic fields on fast-electron propagation.

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Fast electron heating of a solid target in ultrahigh-intensity laser pulse interaction.

We report one of the first measurements of induced heating due to the transport of a fast electron beam generated by an ultrashort pulse laser interaction with solid targets. Rear-side optical reflectivity and emissivity have been used as diagnostics for the size and temperature of the heated zone. A narrow spot has been observed of the order of the laser focus size. Values up to approximately 10 eV at the target back surface were inferred from the experimental data and compared with the predictions of a hybrid collisional-electromagnetic transport simulation.

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Generation of a double shock driven by laser.

The feasibility and reliability of a multiple laser shock generation to study the equation of state surface off the principal Hugoniot curve and to approach an isentropic compression has been demonstrated. The technique is based on the use of a double laser pulse. A strong shock was generated in iron targets precompressed by a first weak shock. The effect of precompression was studied. The experiment was performed at the Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses laboratory.

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K(alpha) fluorescence measurement of relativistic electron transport in the context of fast ignition.

Electron transport within solid targets, irradiated by a high-intensity short-pulse laser, has been measured by imaging K(alpha) radiation from high- Z layers (Cu, Ti) buried in low- Z (CH, Al) foils. Although the laser spot is approximately 10 microm [full width at half maximum (FWHM)], the electron beam spreads to > or =70 microm FWHM within <20 microm of penetration into an Al target then, at depths >100 microm, diverges with a 40 degree spreading angle. Monte Carlo and analytic models are compared to our data. We find that a Monte Carlo model with a heuristic model for the electron injection gives a reasonable fit with our data.

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Observation of laser driven supercritical radiative shock precursors.

We present a supercritical radiative shock experiment performed with the LULI nanosecond laser facility. Using targets filled with xenon gas at low pressure, the propagation of a strong shock with a radiative precursor is evidenced. The main measured shock quantities (electronic density and propagation velocity) are shown to be in good agreement with theory and numerical simulations.

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Hugoniot data for carbon at megabar pressures.

We present an experimental point for the carbon equation of state (EOS) at megabar pressures, obtained by laser-driven shock waves. The rear side emissivity of "two-materials two-steps" targets (Al-C) was recorded with space and time resolution and, by applying the impedance mismatch method, allowed a direct determination of relative EOS points. Experiments were performed at the PALS and LULI laboratories using carbon samples with two different values of initial density, in order to explore a wider region of the phase diagram. Previously unreached pressures were obtained. The results are compared with previous experiments and with available theoretical models and seem to show a high compressibility of carbon at megabar pressures.

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Ablation pressure scaling at short laser wavelength.

The ablation pressure at a 0.44-microm laser wavelength has been measured at irradiance up to 2 x 10(14) W/cm(2). The diagnostics consisted in the detection of shock breakout from stepped Al targets. By adopting large focal spots and smoothed laser beams, the lateral energy transport and "drilling effects" have been avoided. The measured scaling shows a fair agreement with analytical models.

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Evidence of ultrashort electron bunches in laser-plasma interactions at relativistic intensities.

The second harmonic of the laser light (2omega(0)) is observed on the rear side of thick solid targets irradiated by a laser beam at relativistic intensities. This emission is explained by the acceleration by the laser pulse in front of the target of short bunches of electrons separated by the period (or half the period) of the laser light. When reaching the rear side of the target, these electron bunches emit coherent transition radiation at 2omega(0). The observations indicate that, in our conditions, the minimum fraction of the laser energy transferred to these electron bunches is of the order of 1%.

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Inhibition in the propagation of fast electrons in plastic foams by resistive electric fields.

The propagation of relativistic electrons in foam and solid density targets has been studied by means of K-alpha spectroscopy. Experimental results point out the role of self-generated electric fields in propagation and the role of heating of matter induced by the passage of fast electrons. A simple analytical formulation has been given and Spitzer conductivity has been shown to be fairly compatible with experimental results.

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Fast electron transport in ultraintense laser pulse interaction with solid targets by rear-side self-radiation diagnostics.

We report on rear-side optical self-emission results from ultraintense laser pulse interactions with solid targets. A prompt emission associated with a narrow electron jet has been observed up to aluminum target thicknesses of 400 microm with a typical spreading half-angle of 17 degrees. The quantitative results on the emitted energy are consistent with models where the optical emission is due to transition radiation of electrons reaching the back surface of the target or due to a synchrotron-type radiation of electrons pulled back to the target. These models associated with transport simulation results give an indication of a temperature of a few hundred keV for the fast-electron population.

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Interaction of soft-x-ray thermal radiation with foam-layered targets.

We have studied the interaction of soft-x-ray thermal radiation with foam-layered metal targets. X-ray radiation was produced by focusing a high-energy laser inside a small size hohlraum. An increment in shock pressure, up to a factor of approximately 4 for 50 mg/cm(3) foam density, was observed with the foam layer as compared to bare metal targets. This follows from the propagation of radiation-driven shock wave in the foam and the impedance mismatch at the foam-payload interface.

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Equation of state data for iron at pressures beyond 10 Mbar.

We present equation of state points for iron, in the pressure range 10-45 Mbar, the first obtained with laser-driven shock waves. The experiment has been performed with the high energy laser Phebus, optically smoothed with Kinoform phase plates. Our results double the set of existing experimental data at very high pressures showing good agreement with the predictions of the quotidian equation of state model and with previous results.

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Eigenmodes for capillary tubes with dielectric walls and ultraintense laser pulse guiding.

The properties of the eigenmodes of a capillary tube are examined in the context of ultrashort intense laser pulse guiding. The dispersion relation for the eigenmodes of a cylindrical hollow waveguide is derived and the family of eigenmodes EH(nus) is shown to be a solution of the wave equation up to the first order under the condition k(0)a >>1, where k(0) is the light wave number and a the capillary tube radius. The expressions of the fields for the eigenmodes are given at zero and first order of a small parameter equal to the ratio of the perpendicular to longitudinal wave number and the absorbed intensity at the wall is estimated.

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Interferometric measurement of preheating in laser shocks.

We present a preliminary study of preheating in laser shocks using an interferometric diagnostic. A low energy probe laser divided in two by a biprism produces an interference pattern on the rear side of a target. The expansion due to preheating causes a fringe shift before shock arrival. A streak camera produces time-resolved images of the target rear side, which are filtered to reduce noise and correct for instrumental effects. Results are compared with an analytical model, which assumes that preheating is due to x rays, and with results from reflectivity measurements.

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