Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
06:40
Automated Delivery of Microfabricated Targets for Intense Laser Irradiation Experiments
Published on: January 28, 2021
4.8K
Spectral Modification of Shock Accelerated Ions Using a Hydrodynamically Shaped Gas Target
O Tresca1, N P Dover2, N Cook3
1Accelerator Test Facility, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|September 16, 2015
Summary
Reproducible ion acceleration is achieved using laser-driven electrostatic collisionless shocks in gas targets. The plasma density profile critically influences shock properties and ion energy distribution, enabling broadband or quasimonoenergetic beams.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Laser-Plasma Interactions
- High-Energy-Density Physics
Background:
- Laser-driven shocks are crucial for particle acceleration.
- Controlling plasma density gradients is key to tailoring shock properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shock acceleration of ions using shaped gas targets.
- To determine the influence of plasma density profiles on ion beam characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of hydrogen (H2) and helium (He) gas targets with a CO2 laser.
- Utilizing a low-energy prepulse to create a variable density gradient via a blast wave.
- Employing a high-intensity laser pulse to generate a collisionless shock.
Main Results:
- Reproducible shock acceleration of upstream ions was achieved.
- Longer density gradients (≳40 μm) produced broadband He+ and H+ beams.
- Shorter gradients (≲20 μm) resulted in quasimonoenergetic proton acceleration.
Conclusions:
- The plasma density profile significantly impacts accelerating shock properties.
- Tailoring density gradients enables control over ion energy spread.
- Findings are supported by 2D particle-in-cell simulations.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mass Analyzers: Common Types
1.9K
The quadrupole mass analyzer consists of four cylindrical metal rods arranged in a diamond carrying a DC voltage and a radio-frequency AC voltage. The motion of ions through the quadrupole depends on the field strength, causing only ions of a certain m/z to resonate successfully and strike the detector at a given field strength. Though the transmission rate for these analyzers is high, the exact elemental composition of the sample is not determined because of low resolution; however, they are...
1.9K
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
2.7K
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then...
2.7K
01:12Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry
2.8K
Higher molecular weight biomolecules are nonvolatile compounds that may decompose before ionizing or vaporizing during mass analysis with conventional electron impact ionization methods. Accordingly, electrospray ionization (ESI) is the favored method for vaporizing and ionizing biomolecules as it circumvents rapid fragmentation and enables the recording of mass signals for the entire biomolecule.
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
2.8K
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
2.3K
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
2.3K
01:16Shock Waves
2.7K
While deriving the Doppler formula for the observed frequency of a sound wave, it is assumed that the speed of sound in the medium is greater than the source's speed through it. When this condition is breached, a shock wave occurs.
When the source's speed approaches the speed of sound, constructive interference between successive wavefronts emitted by the source occurs immediately behind it. Initially, scientists believed that this constructive interference would result in such high...
When the source's speed approaches the speed of sound, constructive interference between successive wavefronts emitted by the source occurs immediately behind it. Initially, scientists believed that this constructive interference would result in such high...
2.7K
01:16Mass Spectrometers
10.9K
This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:
10.9K