arXiv subjects

F. Pegoraro

Publications and source records attributed to F. Pegoraro.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Bandwidth enhancement for parametric amplifiers operated in chirped multi-beam mode

In this paper we discuss the bandwidth enhancement that can be achieved in multi-Joule optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) systems exploiting the tunability of parametric amplification. In particular, we consider a pair of single pass amplifiers based on potassium dideuterium phosphate (DKDP), pumped by the second harmonic of Nd:glass and tuned to amplify adjacent regions of the signal spectrum. We demonstrate that a bandwidth enhancement up to 50% is possible in two configurations; in the first case, one of the two amplifiers is operated near its non-collinear broadband limit; to allow for effective recombination and recompression of the outgoing signals this configuration requires filtering and phase manipulation of the spectral tail of the amplified pulses. In the second case, effective recombination can be achieved simply by spectral filtering: in this configuration, the optimization of the parameters of the amplifiers (pulse, crystal orientation and crystal length) does not follow the recipes of non-collinear OPCPA.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2007

Electromagnetic pulse reflection at self-generated plasma mirrors: laser pulse shaping and high order harmonic generation

A thin layer of overdense plasma is created when an electromagnetic pulse interacts with a rapidly ionizing thin foil. This layer will reflect the incoming pulse, forming a so-called plasma mirror. A simple realistic model based on paired kinetic and wave equations is used to describe analytically the process of mirror formation and the reflection and transmission of the incident pulse. The model incorporates the exact description of the ionization process in the foil and the polarization and conduction currents that follow. The analytical description of the reflected and transmitted pulses as well as their dependence on foil parameters, and initial pulse amplitude and form are presented. Possible application and effectiveness of this process to improve laser pulse contrast are discussed. In the case of the linearly polarized incident pulse, there harmonic generation occurs, that is absent in the case of the circular polarization. The spectra of the reflected pulses for different initial forms and amplitudes are studied.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2007

Generation and Observation of Coherent, Long--Lived Structures in a Laser--Plasma Channel

In recent experiments of laser pulse interaction at relativistic intensities with a low density plasma, the proton radiography technique showed evidence of long--lived field structures generated after the self-channeling of the laser pulse. We present 2D particle-in-cell simulations of this interaction regime, where the dynamics of similar structures has been resolved with high temporal and spatial resolution. An axially symmetrical field pattern, resembling both soliton-like and vortex structures, has been observed. A study of the physics of such structures and a comparison with experimental data is in progress.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2006

Slow evolution of elliptical galaxies induced by dynamical friction

Many astrophysical problems, ranging from structure formation in cosmology to dynamics of elliptical galaxies, refer to slow processes of evolution of essentially collisionless self-gravitating systems. In order to determine the relevant quasi-equilibrium configuration at time t from given initial conditions, it is often argued that such slow evolution may be approximated in terms of adiabatic evolution, for the calculation of which efficient semi--analytical techniques are available. Here we focus on the slow process of evolution, induced by dynamical friction of a host stellar system on a minority component of "satellites", that we have investigated in a previous paper, to determine to what extent an adiabatic description might be applied. The study is realized by comparing directly N--body simulations of the stellar system evolution (in two significantly different models) from initial to final conditions in a controlled numerical environment. We demonstrate that for the examined process the adiabatic description is going to provide incorrect answers, not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. The two classes of models considered exhibit generally similar trends in evolution, with one exception noted in relation to the evolution of the total density profile. This simple conclusion should be taken as a warning against the indiscriminate use of adiabatic growth prescriptions in studies of structure of galaxies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Enabling pulse compression and proton acceleration in a modular ICF driver for nuclear and particle physics applications

The existence of efficient ion acceleration regimes in collective laser-plasma interactions opens up the possibility to develop high-energy physics facilities in conjunction with projects for inertial confinement nuclear fusion (ICF) and neutron spallation sources. In this paper, we show that the pulse compression requests to make operative these acceleration mechanisms do not fall in contradiction with current technologies for high repetition rate ICF drivers. In particular, we discuss explicitly a solution that exploits optical parametric chirped pulse amplification and the intrinsic modularity of the lasers aimed at ICF.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2005

Single-Cycle High-Intensity Electromagnetic Pulse Generation in the Interaction of a Plasma Wakefield with Nonlinear Coherent Structures

The interaction of coherent nonlinear structures (such as sub-cycle solitons, electron vortices and wake Langmuir waves) with a strong wake wave in a collisionless plasma can be exploited in order to produce ultra-short electromagnetic pulses. The electromagnetic field of a coherent nonlinear structure is partially reflected by the electron density modulations of the incident wake wave and a single-cycle high-intensity electromagnetic pulse is formed. Due to the Doppler effect the length of this pulse is much shorter than that of the coherent nonlinear structure. This process is illustrated with two-dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulations. The considered laser-plasma interaction regimes can be achieved in present day experiments and can be used for plasma diagnostics.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2004

Neutrino oscillation studies with laser-driven beam dump facilities

A new mechanism is suggested for efficient proton acceleration in the GeV energy range; applications to non-conventional high intensity proton drivers and, hence, to low-energy (10-200 MeV) neutrino sources are discussed. In particular we investigate possible uses to explore subdominant $\barν_μ\to \barν_e$ oscillations at the atmospheric scale and their CP conjugate. We emphasize the opportunity to develop these facilities in conjunction with projects for inertial confined nuclear fusion and neutron spallation sources.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Symmetry properties of some Euler-type equations in plasma physics

We consider a system of partial differential equations, of interest to plasma physics, and provide all its Lie point symmetries, with their respective invariant solutions. We also discuss some of its conditional and partial symmetries. We finally show that, although the system can be cast in divergence form and admits conserved currents, it does not admit potential symmetries.

math-ph↗

arXiv2004

Charged State of a Spherical Plasma in Vacuum

The stationary state of a spherically symmetric plasma configuration is investigated in the limit of immobile ions and weak collisions. Configurations with small radii are positively charged as a significant fraction of the electron population evaporates during the equilibration process, leaving behind an electron distribution function with an energy cutoff. Such charged plasma configurations are of interest for the study of Coulomb explosions and ion acceleration from small clusters irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses and for the investigation of ion bunches propagation in a plasma.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2004

Damping of electromagnetic waves due to electron-positron pair production

The problem of the backreaction during the process of electron-positron pair production by a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating in a plasma is investigated. A model based on the relativistic Boltzmann-Vlasov equation with a source term corresponding to the Schwinger formula for the pair creation rate is used. The damping of the wave, the nonlinear up-shift of its frequency due to the plasma density increase and the effect of the damping on the wave polarization and on the background plasma acceleration are investigated as a function of the wave amplitude.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Expansion of a finite size plasma in vacuum

The expansion dynamics of a finite size plasma is examined from an analytical perspective. Results regarding the charge distribution as well as the electrostatic potential are presented. The acceleration of the ions and the associated cooling of the electrons that takes place during the plasma expansion is described. An extensive analysis of the transition between the semi infinite and the finite size plasma behaviour is carried out. Finally, a test of the analytical results, performed through numerical simulations, is presented.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2003

Slow evolution of elliptical galaxies induced by dynamical friction. I. Capture of a system of satellites

The main goal of this paper is to set up a numerical laboratory for the study of the slow evolution of the density and of the pressure tensor profiles of an otherwise collisionless stellar system, as a result of the interactions with a minority component of heavier "particles".The effects that we would like to study are those attributed to slow collisional relaxation and generically called "dynamical friction". We start by revisiting the problem of the sinking of a satellite inside an initially isotropic, non-rotating, spherical galaxy, which we follow by means of N-body simulations using about one million particles. We then consider a quasi-spherical problem, in which the satellite is fragmented into a set of many smaller masses with a spherically symmetric initial density distribution. In a wide set of experiments, designed in order to bring out effects genuinely associated with dynamical friction, we are able to demonstrate the slow evolution of the density profile and the development of a tangentially biased pressure in the underlying stellar system, while we briefly address the issue of the circularization of orbits induced by dynamical friction on the population of fragments. The results of the simulations presented here and others planned for future investigations allow us to study the basic mechanisms of slow relaxation in stellar systems and thus may be of general interest for a variety of problems, especially in the cosmological context. Here our experiments are conceived with the specific goal to clarify some mechanisms that may play a role in the evolution of an elliptical galaxy as a result of the interaction between the stars and a significant population of globular clusters or of the merging of a large number of small satellites.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Generation of High Quality Laser Accelerated Ion Beams

In order to achieve a high quality, i. e. monoergetic, intense ion beam, we propose the use of a double layer target. The first layer, at the target front, consists of high-Z atoms, while the second (rear) layer is a thin coating of low-Z atoms. The high quality proton beams from the double layer target, irradiated by an ultra-intense laser pulse, are demonstrated with three dimensional Particle-in-Cell simulations.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2001

Surface Oscillations in Overdense Plasmas Irradiated by Ultrashort Laser Pulses

The generation of electron surface oscillations in overdense plasmas irradiated at normal incidence by an intense laser pulse is investigated. Two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell simulations show a transition from a planar, electrostatic oscillation at $2ω$, with $ω$ the laser frequency, to a 2D electromagnetic oscillation at frequency $ω$ and wavevector $k>ω/c$. A new electron parametric instability, involving the decay of a 1D electrostatic oscillation into two surface waves, is introduced to explain the basic features of the 2D oscillations. This effect leads to the rippling of the plasma surface within a few laser cycles, and is likely to have a strong impact on laser interaction with solid targets.

physics.plasm-ph↗