Exploring Laser-Produced Relativistic Pair Plasma Jets

Hui Chen | 17-ERD-010

Executive Summary

Our goal is to acquire the first data on relativistic electron–positron subatomic particle production from Livermore's Advanced Radiographic Capability, including scaling of the particle yield and energy spectra as a function of laser parameters and target conditions. Use of relativistic pair plasmas can help us understand and verify the fundamental plasma physics involved in astrophysical models and national energy and nuclear security research.

Publications and Presentations

Chen, H., et al. 2017. "High-Energy (> 70 Kev) X-Ray Conversion Efficiency Measurement on the ARC Laser at the National Ignition Facility." Physics of Plasmas 24(3). doi: 10.1063/1.4978493. LLNL-JRNL-706562.

——— . 2017. "Investigation of Laser Pulse Length and Pre-Plasma Scale Length Impact on Hot Electron Generation on OMEGA-EP." New Journal of Physics 19. doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/aa5a21. LLNL-JRNL-742214.

Lemos, N., et al. 2018. "Bremsstrahlung Hard X-Ray Source Driven by an Electron Beam from a Self-Modulated Laser Wakefield Accelerator." Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 60(5): 054008. doi: 0.1088/1361-6587/aab3b5. LLNL-JRNL-742178.

Tommasini, R., et al. 2017. "Short Pulse, High Resolution, Backlighters for Point Projection High-Energy Radiography at the National Ignition Facility." Physics of Plasmas 24(5): 053104. doi: 10.1063/1.4983137. LLNL-JRNL-734514.

Williams, G. J., et al. 2017. "Positron Radiography of Ignition-Relevant ICF Capsules." Physics of Plasmas 24. doi: 10.1063/1.5008426. LLNL-JRNL-734462.

Willingale, L., et al. 2018. "The Unexpected Role of Evolving Longitudinal Electric Fields in Generating Energetic Electrons in Relativistically Transparent Plasmas." New Journal of Physics 20. doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/aae034. LLNL-JRNL-679373.