Generation of ultra-intense vortex laser from a binary phase square spiral zone plate

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Laser Science
• Optics

Background:

• Ultra-intense laser technology presents challenges for traditional optical devices due to damage thresholds.
• Generating and manipulating ultra-intense vortex laser pulses using plasma is an area of significant research interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and investigate a new scheme for producing relativistic vortex laser pulses.
• To utilize a plasma binary phase square spiral zone plate (BPSSZP) for vortex laser generation.

Main Methods:

• A relativistic Gaussian drive laser irradiates a plasma BPSSZP.
• Three-dimensional particle-in-cell (3D-PIC) simulations are employed to analyze the laser-plasma interaction.
• The BPSSZP induces a phase difference in the drive laser, leading to vortex laser formation.

Main Results:

• A relativistic vortex laser with unique square symmetry is successfully generated.
• High intensity (up to 1.8 × 10¹⁹ W/cm²) and energy conversion efficiency (18.61%) are achieved with a drive laser intensity of 1.3 × 10¹⁸ W/cm².
• Generated vortex lasers adhere to the modulo-4 transmutation rule with varying topological charge.
• The plasma-based BPSSZP demonstrates robustness against multiple ultra-intense laser pulses.

Conclusions:

• The proposed scheme effectively generates high-intensity relativistic vortex lasers using a plasma BPSSZP.
• This plasma-based method offers a robust alternative to traditional optics for intense laser manipulation.
• Potential applications include particle acceleration, high-order vortex harmonic generation, and vortex X/γ-ray sources.