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Plasma devices to guide and collimate a high density of MeV electrons

Author

Listed:
  • R. Kodama

    (Osaka University)

  • Y. Sentoku

    (University of Nevada)

  • Z. L. Chen

    (Osaka University)

  • G. R. Kumar

    (Osaka University
    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
    UMR 7605 CNRS-CEA-École Polytechnique-Univ. Paris VI)

  • S. P. Hatchett

    (University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

  • Y. Toyama

    (Osaka University)

  • T. E. Cowan

    (University of Nevada)

  • R. R Freeman

    (The Ohio State University
    University of California)

  • J. Fuchs

    (University of Nevada
    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
    UMR 7605 CNRS-CEA-École Polytechnique-Univ. Paris VI)

  • Y. Izawa

    (Osaka University)

  • M. H. Key

    (University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

  • Y. Kitagawa

    (Osaka University)

  • K. Kondo

    (Faculty of Engineering and Institute of Laser Engineering Osaka University)

  • T. Matsuoka

    (Osaka University)

  • H. Nakamura

    (Osaka University)

  • M. Nakatsutsumi

    (Osaka University)

  • P. A. Norreys

    (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton)

  • T. Norimatsu

    (Osaka University)

  • R. A. Snavely

    (University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

  • R. B. Stephens

    (General Atomics)

  • M. Tampo

    (Osaka University)

  • K. A. Tanaka

    (Faculty of Engineering and Institute of Laser Engineering Osaka University)

  • T. Yabuuchi

    (Osaka University)

Abstract

The development of ultra-intense lasers1 has facilitated new studies in laboratory astrophysics2 and high-density nuclear science3, including laser fusion4,5,6,7. Such research relies on the efficient generation of enormous numbers of high-energy charged particles. For example, laser–matter interactions at petawatt (1015 W) power levels can create pulses of MeV electrons8,9,10 with current densities as large as 1012 A cm-2. However, the divergence of these particle beams5 usually reduces the current density to a few times 106 A cm-2 at distances of the order of centimetres from the source. The invention of devices that can direct such intense, pulsed energetic beams will revolutionize their applications. Here we report high-conductivity devices consisting of transient plasmas that increase the energy density of MeV electrons generated in laser–matter interactions by more than one order of magnitude. A plasma fibre created on a hollow-cone target guides and collimates electrons in a manner akin to the control of light by an optical fibre and collimator. Such plasma devices hold promise for applications using high energy-density particles and should trigger growth in charged particle optics.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Kodama & Y. Sentoku & Z. L. Chen & G. R. Kumar & S. P. Hatchett & Y. Toyama & T. E. Cowan & R. R Freeman & J. Fuchs & Y. Izawa & M. H. Key & Y. Kitagawa & K. Kondo & T. Matsuoka & H. Nakamura & M. , 2004. "Plasma devices to guide and collimate a high density of MeV electrons," Nature, Nature, vol. 432(7020), pages 1005-1008, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:432:y:2004:i:7020:d:10.1038_nature03133
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03133
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