Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets

Non-linear inverse Compton scattering (NICS) is of significance in laser-plasma physics and for application-relevant laser-driven photon sources. Given this interest, we investigated this synchrotron-like photon emission in a promising configuration achieved when an ultra-intense laser pulse interac...

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Main Authors: Marta Galbiati, Arianna Formenti, Mickael Grech, Matteo Passoni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2023.1117543/full
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author Marta Galbiati
Arianna Formenti
Mickael Grech
Matteo Passoni
author_facet Marta Galbiati
Arianna Formenti
Mickael Grech
Matteo Passoni
author_sort Marta Galbiati
collection DOAJ
description Non-linear inverse Compton scattering (NICS) is of significance in laser-plasma physics and for application-relevant laser-driven photon sources. Given this interest, we investigated this synchrotron-like photon emission in a promising configuration achieved when an ultra-intense laser pulse interacts with a double-layer target (DLT). Numerical simulations with two-dimensional particle-in-cell codes and analytical estimates are used for this purpose. The properties of NICS are shown to be governed by the processes characterizing laser interaction with the near-critical and solid layers composing the DLT. In particular, electron acceleration, laser focusing in the low-density layer, and pulse reflection on the solid layer determine the radiated power, the emitted spectrum, and the angular properties of emitted photons. Analytical estimates, supported by simulations, show that quantum effects are relevant at laser intensities as small as ∼1021 W/cm2 Target and laser parameters affect the NICS competition with bremsstrahlung and the conversion efficiency and average energy of emitted photons. Therefore, DLT properties could be exploited to tune and enhance photon emission in experiments and future applications.
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spelling doaj.art-c7f8b70709ea4a73a0f70df5a3aefb0f2023-02-09T08:58:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physics2296-424X2023-02-011110.3389/fphy.2023.11175431117543Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targetsMarta Galbiati0Arianna Formenti1Mickael Grech2Matteo Passoni3Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, ItalyDepartment of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, ItalyLULI, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, CEA, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, FranceDepartment of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, ItalyNon-linear inverse Compton scattering (NICS) is of significance in laser-plasma physics and for application-relevant laser-driven photon sources. Given this interest, we investigated this synchrotron-like photon emission in a promising configuration achieved when an ultra-intense laser pulse interacts with a double-layer target (DLT). Numerical simulations with two-dimensional particle-in-cell codes and analytical estimates are used for this purpose. The properties of NICS are shown to be governed by the processes characterizing laser interaction with the near-critical and solid layers composing the DLT. In particular, electron acceleration, laser focusing in the low-density layer, and pulse reflection on the solid layer determine the radiated power, the emitted spectrum, and the angular properties of emitted photons. Analytical estimates, supported by simulations, show that quantum effects are relevant at laser intensities as small as ∼1021 W/cm2 Target and laser parameters affect the NICS competition with bremsstrahlung and the conversion efficiency and average energy of emitted photons. Therefore, DLT properties could be exploited to tune and enhance photon emission in experiments and future applications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2023.1117543/fulllaserplasmanon-linear inverse Compton scatteringparticle-in-cellnumerical simulationdouble-layer target
spellingShingle Marta Galbiati
Arianna Formenti
Mickael Grech
Matteo Passoni
Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
Frontiers in Physics
laser
plasma
non-linear inverse Compton scattering
particle-in-cell
numerical simulation
double-layer target
title Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
title_full Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
title_fullStr Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
title_full_unstemmed Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
title_short Numerical investigation of non-linear inverse Compton scattering in double-layer targets
title_sort numerical investigation of non linear inverse compton scattering in double layer targets
topic laser
plasma
non-linear inverse Compton scattering
particle-in-cell
numerical simulation
double-layer target
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphy.2023.1117543/full
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AT mickaelgrech numericalinvestigationofnonlinearinversecomptonscatteringindoublelayertargets
AT matteopassoni numericalinvestigationofnonlinearinversecomptonscatteringindoublelayertargets