arXiv subjects

G. Bruhaug

Publications and source records attributed to G. Bruhaug.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ion-motion-driven enhancement of energy coupling and stability in relativistic laser-microchannel interaction

For sufficiently short relativistic-intensity laser pulses, the disparity in time scales for electron and ion motion causes ions to behave as a fixed, neutralizing background. As the pulse duration or intensity is increased, ion motion becomes important, leading to instability in uniform plasmas but more complex, and potentially desirable behavior in structured targets. In this work, we introduce a new self-organized regime in laser-driven microchannels wherein ion motion facilitates stronger peak fields and high charge and photon conversion efficiency. 3-D particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the qualitative laser-microchannel interaction regime is governed by similarity parameters relating the pulse duration, spot size, and intensity to channel scales. The observed similarity suggests that lower-intensity experiments can inform designs for next-generation facilities, where the high-field, highly-radiative properties of the self-organized regime are especially desirable.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Joule-Class Pulsed THz Sources from Microchannel Targets

Inference of joule-class THz radiation sources from microchannel targets driven with hundreds of joule, picosecond lasers is reported. THz sources of this magnitude are useful for nonlinear pumping of matter and for charged-particle acceleration and manipulation. Microchannel targets demonstrate increased laser-THz conversion efficiency compared to planar foil targets, with laser energy to THz energy conversion up to approximately 0.9% in the best cases.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

An electron-beam based Compton scattering x-ray source for probing high-energy-density physics

The physics basis for an electron-beam based Compton scattering (ECOS) x-ray source is investigated for single-shot experiments at major high energy density facilities such as the Omega Laser Facility, National Ignition Facility, and Z pulsed power facility. A source of monoenergetic ($δε/ε< 5\%$) 10- to 50-keV x rays can be produced by scattering of a short-pulse optical laser by a 23- to 53-MeV electron beam and collimating the scattered photons. The number and spectrum of scattered photons is calculated as a function of electron packet charge, electron and laser pulse duration, laser intensity, and collision geometry. A source with greater than 10$^{10}$ photons in a 1-mm radius spot at the OMEGA target chamber center and 100-ps time resolution is plausible with the available electron gun and laser technology. Design requirements for diffraction, inelastic scattering and imaging experiments as well as opportunities for improved performance are discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Single-Shot Electron Radiography Using a Laser-Plasma Accelerator

Contact and projection electron radiography of static targets was demonstrated using a laser plasma accelerator driven by a kilojoule, picosecond class laser as a source of relativistic electrons with an average energy of 20 MeV. Objects with areal densities as high as 7.7 g/cm^2 were probed in materials ranging from plastic to tungsten, and radiographs with resolution as good as 90 micrometers were produced. The effects of electric fields produced by the laser ablation of the radiography objects were observed and are well described by an analytic expression relating imaging magnification change to electric field strength.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Development of a hardened THz energy meter for use on the kilojoule-scale, short-pulse OMEGA EP laser

A highly adaptable and robust THz energy meter has been designed and implemented to detect energetic THz pulses from high intensity (greater than 1E18 watts per square centimeter) laser plasma interactions on OMEGA EP. THz radiation from the laser driven target is detected by a shielded pyrometer. A second identical pyrometer is used for background subtraction. The detector can be configured to detect THz pulses in the 1 mm to 30 microns (0.3 to 10 THz) range and pulse energies from joules to microjoules via changes in filtration, aperture size and position. Additional polarization selective filtration can also be used to determine THz pulse polarization. The design incorporates significant radiation and EMP shielding to survive and operate within the OMEGA EP radiation environment. We describe the design, operational principle, calibration and testing of the THz energy meter. The pyrometers were calibrated using a benchtop laser and show linear sensitivity up to 1000 nJ of absorbed energy. Initial results from four OMEGA EP THz experiments detected up to 15 microjoules at the detector, which can correspond to 100s of mJ depending on THz emission and reflection models.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

Relativistically transparent magnetic filaments: scaling laws, initial results and prospects for strong-field QED studies

Relativistic transparency enables volumetric laser interaction with overdense plasmas and direct laser acceleration of electrons to relativistic velocities. The dense electron current generates a magnetic filament with field strength of the order of the laser amplitude ($>$10$^5$ T). The magnetic filament traps the electrons radially, enabling efficient acceleration and conversion of laser energy into MeV photons by electron oscillations in the filament. The use of microstructured targets stabilizes the hosing instabilities associated with relativistically transparent interactions, resulting in robust and repeatable production of this phenomenon. Analytical scaling laws are derived to describe the radiated photon spectrum and energy from the magnetic filament phenomenon in terms of the laser intensity, focal radius, pulse duration, and the plasma density. These scaling laws are compared to 3-D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, demonstrating agreement over two regimes of focal radius. Preliminary experiments to study this phenomenon at moderate intensity ($a_0 \sim 30$) were performed on the Texas Petawatt Laser. Experimental signatures of the magnetic filament phenomenon are observed in the electron and photon spectra recorded in a subset of these experiments that is consistent with the experimental design, analytical scaling and 3-D PIC simulations. Implications for future experimental campaigns are discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2020

Diamagnetic Levitation Using High-Temperature Superconducting Wires for Microgravity Research and Mitigation in Human Spaceflight Applications

A novel use of high temperature superconducting (HTS) electromagnets for human sized microgravity research and mitigation is outlined. Recent advances in HTS technology have resulted in electromagnets that potentially could levitate large diamagnetic targets, such as human organs, for additive manufacturing or entire humans for microgravity training. These applications are then used as a springboard to discuss the possibility of active microgravity compensation and inertial dampeners for future space travel applications. Finite element simulations are used to check the validity of the designs and motivate future research.

physics.pop-ph↗