Attosecond and nano-Coulomb electron bunches via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism.

The commissioning of multi-petawatt class laser facilities around the world is gathering pace. One of the primary motivations for these investments is the acceleration of high-quality, low-emittance electron bunches. Here we explore the interaction of a high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse with a mass-limited dense target to produce MeV attosecond electron bunches in transmission and confirm with three-dimensional simulation that such bunches have low emittance and nano-Coulomb charge. We then perform a large parameter scan from non-relativistic laser intensities to the laser-QED regime and from the critical plasma density to beyond solid density to demonstrate that the electron bunch energies and the laser pulse energy absorption into the plasma can be quantitatively described via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism. These results have wide-ranging implications for future particle accelerator science and associated technologies.

Measuring the principal Hugoniot of inertial-confinement-fusion-relevant TMPTA plastic foams.

Wetted-foam layers are of significant interest for inertial-confinement-fusion capsules, due to the control they provide over the convergence ratio of the implosion and the opportunity this affords to minimize hydrodynamic instability growth. However, the equation of state for fusion-relevant foams are not well characterized, and many simulations rely on modeling such foams as a homogeneous medium with the foam average density. To address this issue, an experiment was performed using the VULCAN Nd:glass laser at the Central Laser Facility. The aim was to measure the principal Hugoniot of TMPTA plastic foams at 260mg/cm^{3}, corresponding to the density of liquid DT-wetted-foam layers, and their "hydrodynamic equivalent" capsules. A VISAR was used to obtain the shock velocity of both the foam and an α-quartz reference layer, while streaked optical pyrometry provided the temperature of the shocked material. The measurements confirm that, for the 20-120 GPa pressure range accessed, this material can indeed be well described using the equation of state of the homogeneous medium at the foam density.

Observation of Monoenergetic Electrons from Two-Pulse Ionization Injection in Quasilinear Laser Wakefields.

The generation of low emittance electron beams from laser-driven wakefields is crucial for the development of compact x-ray sources. Here, we show new results for the injection and acceleration of quasimonoenergetic electron beams in low amplitude wakefields experimentally and using simulations. This is achieved by using two laser pulses decoupling the wakefield generation from the electron trapping via ionization injection. The injection duration, which affects the beam charge and energy spread, is found to be tunable by adjusting the relative pulse delay. By changing the polarization of the injector pulse, reducing the ionization volume, the electron spectra of the accelerated electron bunches are improved.

Ionization states for the multipetawatt laser-QED regime.

A paradigm shift in the physics of laser-plasma interactions is approaching with the commissioning of multipetawatt laser facilities worldwide. Radiation reaction processes will result in the onset of electron-positron pair cascades and, with that, the absorption and partitioning of the incident laser energy, as well as the energy transport throughout the irradiated targets. To accurately quantify these effects, one must know the focused intensity on target in situ. In this work, a way of measuring the focused intensity on target is proposed based upon the ionization of xenon gas at low ambient pressure. The field ionization rates from two works [Phys. Rev. A 59, 569 (1999)1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.59.569 and Phys. Rev. A 98, 043407 (2018)2469-992610.1103/PhysRevA.98.043407], where the latter rate has been derived using quantum mechanics, have been implemented in the particle-in-cell code SMILEI [Comput. Phys. Commun. 222, 351 (2018)0010-465510.1016/j.cpc.2017.09.024]. A series of one- and two-dimensional simulations are compared and shown to reproduce the charge states without presenting visible differences when increasing the simulation dimensionality. They provide a way to accurately verify the intensity on target using in situ measurements.

Suprathermal electrons from the anti-Stokes Langmuir decay instability cascade.

The study of parametric instabilities has played a crucial role in understanding energy transfer to plasma and, with that, the development of key applications such as inertial confinement fusion. When the densities are between 0.11n_{c}≲n_{e}≲0.14n_{c} and the electron temperature is in inertial confinement fusion-relevant temperatures, anomalous hot electrons with kinetic energies above 100keV are generated. Here a new electron acceleration mechanism-the anti-Stokes Langmuir decay instability cascade of forward stimulated Raman scattering-is investigated. This mechanism potentially explains anomalous energetic electron generation in indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion experiments, it also provides a new way of accelerating electrons to higher energy for applications such as novel x-ray sources.

Methods for extremely sparse-angle proton tomography.

Proton radiography is a widely fielded diagnostic used to measure magnetic structures in plasma. The deflection of protons with multi-MeV kinetic energy by the magnetic fields is used to infer their path-integrated field strength. Here the use of tomographic methods is proposed for the first time to lift the degeneracy inherent in these path-integrated measurements, allowing full reconstruction of spatially resolved magnetic field structures in three dimensions. Two techniques are proposed which improve the performance of tomographic reconstruction algorithms in cases with severely limited numbers of available probe beams, as is the case in laser-plasma interaction experiments where the probes are created by short, high-power laser pulse irradiation of secondary foil targets. A new configuration allowing production of more proton beams from a single short laser pulse is also presented and proposed for use in tandem with these analytical advancements.

Preparations for a European R&D roadmap for an inertial fusion demo reactor.

A European consortium of 15 laboratories across nine nations have worked together under the EUROFusion Enabling Research grants for the past decade with three principle objectives. These are: (a) investigating obstacles to ignition on megaJoule-class laser facilities; (b) investigating novel alternative approaches to ignition, including basic studies for fast ignition (both electron and ion-driven), auxiliary heating, shock ignition, etc.; and (c) developing technologies that will be required in the future for a fusion reactor. A brief overview of these activities, presented here, along with new calculations relates the concept of auxiliary heating of inertial fusion targets, and provides possible future directions of research and development for the updated European Roadmap that is due at the end of 2020. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)'.

Whole-beam self-focusing in fusion-relevant plasma.

Fast ignition inertial confinement fusion requires the production of a low-density channel in plasma with density scale-lengths of several hundred microns. The channel assists in the propagation of an ultra-intense laser pulse used to generate fast electrons which form a hot spot on the side of pre-compressed fusion fuel. We present a systematic characterization of an expanding laser-produced plasma using optical interferometry, benchmarked against three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. Magnetic fields associated with channel formation are probed using proton radiography, and compared to magnetic field structures generated in full-scale particle-in-cell simulations. We present observations of long-lived, straight channels produced by the Habara-Kodama-Tanaka whole-beam self-focusing mechanism, overcoming a critical barrier on the path to realizing fast ignition. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)'.

One-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of low convergence ratio direct-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions.

Indirect drive inertial confinement fusion experiments with convergence ratios below 17 have been previously shown to be less susceptible to Rayleigh-Taylor hydrodynamic instabilities, making this regime highly interesting for fusion science. Additional limitations imposed on the implosion velocity, in-flight aspect ratio and applied laser power aim to further reduce instability growth, resulting in a new regime where performance can be well represented by one-dimensional (1D) hydrodynamic simulations. A simulation campaign was performed using the 1D radiation-hydrodynamics code HYADES to investigate the performance that could be achieved using direct-drive implosions of liquid layer capsules, over a range of relevant energies. Results include potential gains of 0.19 on LMJ-scale systems and 0.75 on NIF-scale systems, and a reactor-level gain of 54 for an 8.5 MJ implosion. While the use of 1D simulations limits the accuracy of these results, they indicate a sufficiently high level of performance to warrant further investigations and verification of this new low-instability regime. This potentially suggests an attractive new approach to fusion energy. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)'.

Polysplenia syndrome: spectrum of gastrointestinal congenital anomalies.

This report describes four children with polysplenia syndrome seen in our hospital during the past year. Each had gastrointestinal abnormalities as their predominant problem, and two presented with gastrointestinal duplications not previously reported with this syndrome.

Changes in cyclic nucleotide levels and contractile force in the isolated hypoxic rat heart during perfusion with glucagon.

Isolated rat hearts were perfused with hormonal concentrations of glucagon during a hypoxic perfusion to determine whether it would enhance recovery after reoxygenation. Rat hearts were divided into two groups: (1) those perfused with glucose-free Tyrode's solution and (2) those perfused with Tyrode's solution containing glucose. During 3 minutes of exposure to hypoxia both untreated hearts and hearts perfused with glucagon demonstrated a decrease in contractile force to 10-20% of control. When glucose was present in the perfusion medium, cardiac performance was better during both the periods of hypoxia and reoxygenation. During reoxygenation, recovery of contractile force was significantly better (P less than 0.05) in glucagon-perfused hearts than in untreated hearts; this improved recovery occurred regardless of whether glucose was included in the medium. The enhanced recovery of the glucagon-perfused hearts was associated with decreases in myocardial levels of guanosine, 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) both during the periods of hypoxia and reoxygenation. At the end of the hypoxic period, cyclic GMP levels in the glucagon-perfused hearts were 20-64% of the levels in untreated hearts. Similarly, after 5 minutes of reoxygenation cyclic GMP levels in the glucagon-perfused hearts were 21% of the levels in the untreated hearts. The effect of glucagon on adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) concentrations in untreated hearts and in hearts receiving glucagon was not significantly different either after 3 minutes of hypoxia or during reoxygenation. The rate of anaerobic glycolysis after 3 minutes of hypoxia was higher in untreated hearts than in glucagon-perfused hearts, as determined by the lactate content of coronary perfusates. These studies suggest that hormonal concentrations of glucagon exert a protective effect on the hypoxic rat heart which involves a modulation of cardiac cyclic GMP accumulation.

Effects of derivatives of cyclic amp and cyclic gmp on contraction force of cat papillary muscles.

Right ventricular kitten papillary muscles were incubated with dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dbcAMP) at varying concentrations as low as 1 X 10(-4)M. A positive inotropic effect was observed with all concentrations of dbcAMP. Concomitant administration of 5 X 10(-4)M monobutyryl guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (mbcGMP) and 1-2 X 10(-4)M dbcAMP prevented the inotropic response observed when dbcAMP was used alone. When higher doses of dbcAMP were used (5 X 10(-4) M, 10 X 10(-4) M), there was no significant difference in the inotropic response seen between control tissues and papillary muscles pretreated with mbcGMP.

Effects of glucagon on cardiac cyclic nucleotides in the hypoxic heart.

Isolated rat hearts were perfused with a subinotropic concentration of glucagon during an hypoxic perfusion to determine whether glucagon would enhance recovery upon reoxygenation. Rat hearts were divided into two groups: 1) those perfused with glucose-free Tyrode's solution and 2) those perfused with Tyrode's solution containing glucose. During 3 min of hypoxic exposure, untreated hearts and hearts perfused with glucagon both demonstrated a dramatic decrease in contractile force regardless of whether glucose was included in the medium. However, when glucose was present in the perfusion medium cardiac performance was better during both hypoxia and the period of reoxygenation. Furthermore, during reoxygenation, the recovery of contractile force was significantly greater in glucagon-perfused hearts than in controls. Cardiac levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were monitored at various periods of hypoxic exposure to test the existence of a correlation between the concentrations of these cyclic nucleotides and cardiac performance. During reoxygenation of untreated hearts, the hearts perfused with glucose-free medium attained 45-50 percent of the contractile force seen in glucagon-treated hearts. This enhanced recovery in the glucagon-treated hearts was associated with decreases in cyclic GMP levels at the end of the hypoxic period. At this time, the cyclic GMP levels in the glucagon-treated hearts were only 25-55 percent of the levels seen in untreated hearts that were also exposed to hypoxia. The effect of glucagon on cyclic AMP content in untreated hearts and in hearts receiving glucagon was not significantly different at 3 min of hypoxia. These studies suggest that subinotropic concentrations of glucagon exert a protective effect on the hypoxic rat heart that is not related to the direct inotropic properties of this hormone but which may involve a modulation in cardiac cyclic GMP availability.

Opposing regulatory influences of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the control of cardiac muscle contraction.

The effects of acetylcholine chloride (ACh) and isoproterenol (Iso) on myocardial levels of guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) and adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and on force of contraction were studied in elelctrically driven isolated rabbit atria. Incubation of atria with Tyrode's solution containing ACh (5 x 10(-7) M) produced significant decreases in contractile force that were associated with significant elevations in atrial cyclic GMP levels. Atrial levels of cyclic AMP were significantly lowered at 15 sec after the addition of ACh but were only slightly lowered at earlier time intervals. The effects of acetylcholine on force of contraction and on cyclic nucleotide levels were prevented with atropine (1 x 10(-7) M). The addition of Iso (1 x 10(-7)-M) to isolated atria produced significant increases in contractile force that were associated with significant elevations in effects of Iso on force of contraction and on cyclic nucleotide levels were prevented with practolol (1 x 10(-5) M). The increases in atrial cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels following addition of ACh and Iso, respectively, precede the changes in contractile force. These data support our hypothesis that cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP exert oppositional effects on cardiac contrctility.

Oppositional effects of acetylcholine and isoproterenol on isometric tension and cyclic nucleotide concentrations in rabbit atria.

The effects of acetylcholine chloride and isoproterenol on myocardiial cyclic GMP, cyclic AMP and on isometric tension were studied in isolated electrically driven rabbit atria. Acetylcholine (0.5 muM) produced a significant decrease in isometric force that was associated with a significant elevation in atrial cyclic GMP. Cyclic AMP was significantly lowered at 15 seconds after the addition of acetylcholine, but was only slightly decreased at earlier time periods. Both the negative inotropic action and increase in cyclic GMP after addition of acetylcholine were blocked by atropine. Isoproterenol (0.1 muM) produced a significant increase in isometric tension that was associated with a significant elevation in atrial cyclic AMP levels, whereas cyclic GMP levels were not changed. These effects were blocked by practolol. The increases in atrial cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP following addition of acetylcholine and isoproterenol, respectively, preceded the changes in isometric tension in response to these agents. These data support the hypothesis that changes in intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP may mediate the positive and negative inotropic effects of adrenergic and cholinergic agents.

Hormonal control of neutrophil lysosomal enzyme release: effect of epinephrine on adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Human neutrophilic leukocytes release neutral protease and beta-glucuronidase during cell contact with, and phagocytosis of, zymosan particles treated with rheumatoid arthritic serum. Release of lysosomal enzymes is inhibited by epinephrine and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), but not by phenylephrine or adenosine 5'-monophosphate. Inhibition of enzyme release by epinephrine may be mediated by cyclic AMP because the cyclic AMP in the neutrophils is increased by epinephrine treatment at the time when enzyme release is reduced.