Nonlinear kinetic estimate of Raman reflectivity in a hohlraum plasma with a radiation hydrodynamics code.

In this Letter, we introduce an inline model for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), which runs on our radiation hydrodynamics code troll. This model accounts for nonlinear kinetic effects and for the SRS feedback on the plasma hydrodynamics. We dubbed it PIEM because it is a fully "PredIctivE Model," because no free parameter is to be adjusted a posteriori in order to match the experimental results. PIEM predictions are compared against experimental measurements performed at the Ligne d'Intégration Laser. From these comparisons, we discuss the PIEM ability to correctly catch the impact of nonlinear kinetic effects on SRS.

Influence of a random phase plate on the growth of the backward stimulated Brillouin scatter.

We derive the analytical dispersion relation of a high-energy laser beam's backward stimulated Brillouin scattering (BSBS) in a hot plasma, that accounts both for the random phase plate (RPP) induced spatial shaping and its associated phase randomness. Indeed, phase plates are mandatory in large laser facilities where a precise control of the focal spot size is required. While the focal spot size is well controlled, such techniques produce small scale intensity variations that can trigger laser-plasma instabilities such as BSBS. Quantifying the resulting instability variability is shown to be crucial for understanding accurately the backscattering temporal and spatial growth as well as the asymptotic reflectivity. Our model, validated by means of a large number of three-dimensional paraxial simulations and experimental data, offers three quantitative predictions. The first one addresses the temporal exponential growth of the reflectivity by deriving and solving the BSBS RPP dispersion relation. A large statistical variability of the temporal growth rate is shown to be directly related to the phase plate randomness. Then, we predict the portion of the beam's section that is absolutely unstable, thus helping to precisely assess the validity of the vastly used convective analysis. Finally, a simple analytical correction to the plane wave spatial gain is extracted from our theory giving a practical and effective asymptotic reflectivity prediction that includes the impact of phase plates smoothing techniques. Hence, our study sheds light on the long-time studied BSBS, deleterious to many high-energy experimental studies related to the physics of inertial confinement fusion.

Cylindrical implosion platform for the study of highly magnetized plasmas at Laser MegaJoule.

Investigating the potential benefits of the use of magnetic fields in inertial confinement fusion experiments has given rise to experimental platforms like the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion approach at the Z-machine (Sandia National Laboratories) or its laser-driven equivalent at OMEGA (Laboratory for Laser Energetics). Implementing these platforms at MegaJoule-scale laser facilities, such as the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) or the National Ignition Facility (NIF), is crucial to reaching self-sustained nuclear fusion and enlarges the level of magnetization that can be achieved through a higher compression. In this paper, we present a complete design of an experimental platform for magnetized implosions using cylindrical targets at LMJ. A seed magnetic field is generated along the axis of the cylinder using laser-driven coil targets, minimizing debris and increasing diagnostic access compared with pulsed power field generators. We present a comprehensive simulation study of the initial B field generated with these coil targets, as well as two-dimensional extended magnetohydrodynamics simulations showing that a 5 T initial B field is compressed up to 25 kT during the implosion. Under these circumstances, the electrons become magnetized, which severely modifies the plasma conditions at stagnation. In particular, in the hot spot the electron temperature is increased (from 1 keV to 5 keV) while the density is reduced (from 40g/cm^{3} to 7g/cm^{3}). We discuss how these changes can be diagnosed using x-ray imaging and spectroscopy, and particle diagnostics. We propose the simultaneous use of two dopants in the fuel (Ar and Kr) to act as spectroscopic tracers. We show that this introduces an effective spatial resolution in the plasma which permits an unambiguous observation of the B-field effects. Additionally, we present a plan for future experiments of this kind at LMJ.

Terahertz Pulse Generation by Strongly Magnetized, Laser-Created Plasmas.

Relativistic interactions between ultraintense (>10^{18} W cm^{-2}) laser pulses and magnetized underdense plasmas are known to produce few-cycle Cerenkov wake radiation in the terahertz (THz) domain. Using multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate the possibility of generating high-field (>100 GV m^{-1}) THz bursts from helium gas plasmas embedded in strong (>100 T) magnetic fields perpendicular to the laser path. We show that two criteria must be satisfied for efficient THz generation. First, the plasma density should be adjusted to the laser pulse duration for a strong resonant excitation of the electromagnetic plasma wake. Second, in order to mitigate the damping of the transverse wake component across the density gradients at the plasma exit, the ratio of the relativistic electron cyclotron and plasma frequencies must be chosen slightly above unity, but not too large, lest the wake be degraded. Such conditions lead the outgoing THz wave to surpass in amplitude the electrostatic wakefield induced in a similar, yet unmagnetized plasma.

Reduction of Cross-Beam Energy Transfer by a Speckle Pattern.

In this Letter, we show that cross-beam energy transfer (CBET), ubiquitous in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments, may be strongly modified by the speckle pattern of the beams. This is demonstrated by the means of two-dimensional particle in cell simulations, supported by a linear model. In particular, we show that, although they would be the same in a plane wave model, the exchange rates of energy may be significantly different whether there is a plasma flow, or a wavelength shift, especially when the waves are weakly damped. When the crossed laser beams have different frequencies, the energy exchange rate is substantially reduced compared with the predictions of the plane wave model, widely used in the hydrodynamic codes that model and interpret ICF experiments. Such effects can partly explain the disagreement of the CBET predictions compared with experimental results.

Terahertz Pulse Generation in Underdense Relativistic Plasmas: From Photoionization-Induced Radiation to Coherent Transition Radiation.

Terahertz to far-infrared emission by two-color, ultrashort optical pulses interacting with underdense helium gases at ultrahigh intensities (>10^{19} W/cm^{2}) is investigated by means of 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The terahertz field is shown to be produced by two mechanisms occurring sequentially, namely, photoionization-induced radiation (PIR) by the two-color pulse, and coherent transition radiation (CTR) by the wakefield-accelerated electrons escaping the plasma. We exhibit laser-plasma parameters for which CTR proves to be the dominant process, providing terahertz bursts with field strength as high as 100 GV/m and energy in excess of 10 mJ. Analytical models are developed for both the PIR and CTR processes, which correctly reproduce the simulation data.

Experimental Investigation of the Collective Raman Scattering of Multiple Laser Beams in Inhomogeneous Plasmas.

Experiments have been performed evidencing significant stimulated Raman sidescattering (SRS) at large angles from the density gradient. This was achieved in long scale-length high-temperature plasmas in which two beams couple to the same scattered electromagnetic wave further demonstrating for the first time this multiple-beam collective SRS interaction. The collective nature of the coupling and the amplification at large angles from the density gradient increase the global SRS losses and produce light scattered in novel directions out of the planes of incidence of the beams. These findings obtained in plasmas conditions relevant of inertial confinement fusion experiments similarly apply to the more complex geometry of these experiments where anomalously large levels of SRS were measured.

Spatial and Transient Effects during the Amplification of a Picosecond Pulse Beam by a Nanosecond Pump.

Amplification of a picosecond pulse beam by a lower intensity nanosecond pulse beam was experimentally observed in a flowing plasma. Modifications of intensity distributions in beam focal spots due to nonhomogeneous energy transfer and its transient regime were investigated. The mean transferred power reached 57% of the incident power of the nanosecond pulse beam. An imaging diagnostic allowed the intensity profile of the picosecond pulse beam to be determined, bringing to evidence the spatial nonuniformity of energy transfer in the amplified beam. This diagnostic also enabled us to observe the temporal evolution of the speckle intensity distribution because of the transfer. These results are reproduced by numerical simulations of two complementary codes. The method and the observed effects are important for the understanding of experiments with multiple crossing laser beams in plasmas.

Terahertz radiation driven by two-color laser pulses at near-relativistic intensities: Competition between photoionization and wakefield effects.

We numerically investigate terahertz (THz) pulse generation by linearly-polarized, two-color femtosecond laser pulses in highly-ionized argon. Major processes consist of tunneling photoionization and ponderomotive forces associated with transverse and longitudinal field excitations. By means of two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we reveal the importance of photocurrent mechanisms besides transverse and longitudinal plasma waves for laser intensities >10(15) W/cm(2). We demonstrate the following. (i) With two-color pulses, photoionization prevails in the generation of GV/m THz fields up to 10(17) W/cm(2) laser intensities and suddenly loses efficiency near the relativistic threshold, as the outermost electron shell of ionized Ar atoms has been fully depleted. (ii) PIC results can be explained by a one-dimensional Maxwell-fluid model and its semi-analytical solutions, offering the first unified description of the main THz sources created in plasmas. (iii) The THz power emitted outside the plasma channel mostly originates from the transverse currents.

Self-consistent theory of high-order harmonic generation by relativistic plasma mirror.

We present a self-consistent semianalytical model of the relativistic plasma mirror, based on the exact computation of the laser-driven electron surface oscillations within the cold-fluid approximation. Valid for arbitrary solid densities, laser incidence angle, and a large set of laser intensities (10(18)-10(21) W/cm(2)), the model unravels different regimes of harmonic generation. In particular, it is found that efficient conversion of p-polarized laser pulses into high-order harmonics well above the plasma frequency requires either high laser intensities, low plasma densities, or incidence angles larger than a threshold value. This critical angle corresponds to a transition between a regime where the electron surface dynamics is mostly governed by the laser J×B force and a "cyclotron Brunel" regime, where electrons perform many cyclotron gyrations when moving into the vacuum. Under conditions relevant to current laser experiments, the latter regime gives rise to nonmonotonic variations of the harmonic yield with the laser field. Our predictions are supported by an extensive parametric study performed with highly resolved one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations.

Ultrafast Synchrotron-Enhanced Thermalization of Laser-Driven Colliding Pair Plasmas.

We report on the first self-consistent numerical study of the feasibility of laser-driven relativistic pair shocks of prime interest for high-energy astrophysics. Using a QED-particle-in-cell code, we simulate the collective interaction between two counterstreaming electron-positron jets driven from solid foils by short-pulse (~60 fs), high-energy (~100 kJ) lasers. We show that the dissipation caused by self-induced, ultrastrong (>10^{6} T) electromagnetic fluctuations is amplified by intense synchrotron emission, which enhances the magnetic confinement and compression of the colliding jets.

Enhanced relativistic-electron-beam energy loss in warm dense aluminum.

Energy loss in the transport of a beam of relativistic electrons in warm dense aluminum is measured in the regime of ultrahigh electron beam current density over 2×10^{11} A/cm^{2} (time averaged). The samples are heated by shock compression. Comparing to undriven cold solid targets, the roles of the different initial resistivity and of the transient resistivity (upon target heating during electron transport) are directly observable in the experimental data, and are reproduced by a comprehensive set of simulations describing the hydrodynamics of the shock compression and electron beam generation and transport. We measured a 19% increase in electron resistive energy loss in warm dense compared to cold solid samples of identical areal mass.

Analytical model for THz emissions induced by laser-gas interaction.

We develop a one-dimensional model of THz emissions induced by laser-driven, time-asymmetric ionization and current oscillations in a hydrogen gas. Our model highlights complex scalings of the THz fields with respect to the laser and gas parameters, in particular, a non-monotonic behavior against the laser parameters. Analytical expressions of the transmitted and reflected fields are presented, explaining the THz spectra observed in particle-in-cell and forward-pulse propagation codes. The backward-propagating THz wave is mainly driven by the electron current oscillations at the plasma frequency, and its resulting spectrum operates below the plasma frequency. The transmitted THz wave is emitted from both plasma current oscillations and photo-ionization. Their respective signal presents a contribution below and around the plasma frequency, plus a contribution at higher frequencies associated to the photo-induced current. The interplay between these two mechanisms relies on the ratio between the propagation length and the plasma skin depth.

Model for ultraintense laser-plasma interaction at normal incidence.

An analytical study of the relativistic interaction of a linearly polarized laser field of ω frequency with highly overdense plasma is presented. In agreement with one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, the model self-consistently explains the transition between the sheath inverse bremsstrahlung absorption regime and the J×B heating (responsible for the 2ω electron bunches), as well as the high harmonic radiations and the mean electron energy.

Relativistic high-current electron-beam stopping-power characterization in solids and plasmas: collisional versus resistive effects.

We present experimental and numerical results on intense-laser-pulse-produced fast electron beams transport through aluminum samples, either solid or compressed and heated by laser-induced planar shock propagation. Thanks to absolute K(α) yield measurements and its very good agreement with results from numerical simulations, we quantify the collisional and resistive fast electron stopping powers: for electron current densities of ≈ 8 × 10(10) A/cm(2) they reach 1.5 keV/µm and 0.8 keV/µm, respectively. For higher current densities up to 10(12)A/cm(2), numerical simulations show resistive and collisional energy losses at comparable levels. Analytical estimations predict the resistive stopping power will be kept on the level of 1 keV/µm for electron current densities of 10(14)A/cm(2), representative of the full-scale conditions in the fast ignition of inertially confined fusion targets.

Magnetically guided fast electrons in cylindrically compressed matter.

Fast electrons produced by a 10 ps, 160 J laser pulse through laser-compressed plastic cylinders are studied experimentally and numerically in the context of fast ignition. K(α)-emission images reveal a collimated or scattered electron beam depending on the initial density and the compression timing. A numerical transport model shows that implosion-driven electrical resistivity gradients induce strong magnetic fields able to guide the electrons. The good agreement with measured beam sizes provides the first experimental evidence for fast-electron magnetic collimation in laser-compressed matter.

Divergence of laser-driven relativistic electron beams.

Electron acceleration by ultrahigh intensity lasers is studied by means of two-dimensional planar particle-in-cell simulations. It is shown that the full divergence of the fast electron beam is defined by two complementary physical effects: the regular radial beam deviation depending on the electron radial position and the angular dispersion. If the scale length of the preplasma surrounding the solid target is sufficiently low, the radial deviation is determined by the transverse component of the laser ponderomotive force. The random angular dispersion is due to the small scale magnetic fields excited near the critical density due to the collisionless Weibel instability. When a preplasma is present, the radial beam deviation increases due to the electron acceleration in larger volumes and can become comparable to the local angular dispersion. This effect has been neglected so far in most of the fast electron transport calculations, overestimating significantly the beam collimation by resistive magnetic fields. Simulations with a two-dimensional cylindrically-symmetric hybrid code accounting for the electron radial velocity demonstrate a substantially reduced strength and a shorter penetration of the azimuthal magnetic field in solid targets.

Filamentation instability of a fast electron beam in a dielectric target.

High-intensity laser-matter interaction is an efficient method for high-current relativistic electron beam production. At current densities exceeding a several kA microm{-2} , the beam propagation is maintained by an almost complete current neutralization by the target electrons. In such a geometry of two oppositely directed flows, beam instabilities can develop, depending on the target and the beam parameters. The present paper proposes an analytical description of the filamentation instability of an electron beam propagating through an insulator target. It is shown that the collisionless and resistive instabilities enter into competition with the ionization instability. This latter process is dominant in insulator targets where the field ionization by the fast beam provides free electrons for the neutralization current.

High-current fast electron beam propagation in a dielectric target.

Recent experiments demonstrate an efficient transformation of high intensity laser pulse into a relativistic electron beam with a very high current density exceeding 10(12) A cm(-2). The propagation of such a beam inside the target is possible if its current is neutralized. This phenomenon is not well understood, especially in dielectric targets. In this paper, we study the propagation of high current density electron beam in a plastic target using a particle-in-cell simulation code. The code includes both ionization of the plastic and collisions of newborn electrons. The numerical results are compared with a relatively simple analytical model and a reasonable agreement is found. The temporal evolution of the beam velocity distribution, the spatial density profile, and the propagation velocity of the ionization front are analyzed and their dependencies on the beam density and energy are discussed. The beam energy losses are mainly due to the target ionization induced by the self-generated electric field and the return current. For the highest beam density, a two-stream instability is observed to develop in the plasma behind the ionization front and it contributes to the beam energy losses.