Detailed investigation of the x-ray drive on the capsule at the center of the hohlraum is crucial to solve the "drive deficit" problem in inertial confinement fusion. A pioneering work for probing the drive flux at the hohlraum center by simultaneously measuring the re-emitted flux and shock velocity was reported [X. Xie et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 075001 (2022)0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.128.075001]. However, in the last experiment only two discrete shock velocity values can be obtained, as the streaked optical pyrometer was employed. In this work, we present characterization of the time-dependent x-ray drive on the capsule by simultaneously measuring the time-dependent localized re-emitted flux and the time-dependent shock velocity. The time-dependent localized re-emitted flux was measured by the space-resolving flux detector, while the time-dependent shock velocity was obtained with the velocity interferometer system for any reflector. Two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic simulations revealed that the time history of the re-emitted flux as well as the shock velocity can be well reproduced. This technique presented a way for the determination of the x-ray drive at the center of the cylindrical hohlraum as well as other novel hohlraums.
The origin of the cosmic magnetic field remains an unsolved mystery, relying not only on specific dynamo processes but also on the seed field to be amplified. Recently, the diffuse radio emission and Faraday rotation observations reveal that there has been a microgauss-level magnetic field in intracluster medium in the early universe, which places strong constraints on the strength of the initial field and implies the underlying kinetic effects; the commonly believed Biermann battery can only provide extremely weak seed of 10 −21 G. Here, we present evidence for the spontaneous Weibel-type magnetogenesis in laser-produced weakly collisional plasma with the three-dimensional synchronous proton radiography, where the distribution anisotropy directly arises from the temperature gradient, even without the commonly considered interpenetrating plasmas or shear flows. This field can achieve sufficient strength and is sensitive to Coulomb collision. Our results demonstrate the importance of kinetics in magnetogenesis in weakly collisional astrophysical scenarios.
We present an application of short-pulse laser-generated hard x rays for the diagnosis of indirectly driven double shell targets. Cone-inserted double shell targets were imploded through an indirect drive approach on the upgraded SG-II laser facility. Then, based on the point-projection hard x-ray radiography technique, time-resolved radiography of the double shell targets, including that of their near-peak compression, were obtained. The backlighter source was created by the interactions of a high-intensity short pulsed laser with a metal microwire target. Images of the target near peak compression were obtained with an Au microwire. In addition, radiation hydrodynamic simulations were performed, and the target evolution obtained agrees well with the experimental results. Using the radiographic images, areal densities of the targets were evaluated.
The first laser–plasma interaction experiment using lasers of eight beams grouped into one octad has been conducted on the Shenguang Octopus facility. Although each beam intensity is below its individual threshold for stimulated Brillouin backscattering (SBS), collective behaviors are excited to enhance the octad SBS. In particular, when two-color/cone lasers with wavelength separation 0.3 nm are used, the backward SBS reflectivities show novel behavior in which beams of longer wavelength achieve higher SBS gain. This property of SBS can be attributed to the rotation of the wave vectors of common ion acoustic waves due to the competition of detunings between geometrical angle and wavelength separation. This mechanism is confirmed using massively parallel supercomputer simulations with the three-dimensional laser–plasma interaction code LAP3D.
The two-plasmon decay (TPD) instability of the backscattered light of the simulated Raman scattering (SRS) is first investigated with the help of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The 2D PIC simulation results show that the backscattered light of the SRS does excite TPD instability. Further, the comparison between 1D and 2D PIC simulation results shows that the backward SRS is suppressed by the excitation of TPD instability, which means the TPD instability of the scattered light could be a saturation scheme of SRS. It is also shown that, after the excitation of TPD, the electrons could experience a two-stage or even three-stage acceleration and their energy may reach to or even exceed 100 KeV, which means the TPD instability of the backscattered light could be a source of super-hot electrons.
We present for the first time characterization of the time-dependent radiation drive on the capsule by measuring the localized re-emitted flux at Shenguang-III prototype laser facility. The drive flux was obtained with measured re-emitted flux from the capsule and radiation fluxes from the hohlraum wall, in combination with radiation hydrodynamic simulations. It revealed that the temporal behavior of the drive flux was quite distinguished from the radiation flux from the hohlraum wall, and the drive flux was approximately 6 eV (12 eV) lower than the measured flux at up 55° (up 30°). This technique presents a novel way for the assessment of the drive flux, both in cylindrical hohlraums and novel hohlraums with more than two laser entrance holes. Pre-processed radiation hydrodynamic simulations indicate that this technique can also be applied in integrated implosion experiments utilizing standard fusion capsule with carbon-hydrogen ablators.
A new method for measuring the time-dependent drive flux at the hohlraum center is proposed as a better alternative to conventional wall-based techniques. The drive flux here is obtained by simultaneous measurement of the reemitted flux and shock velocity from a three-layered "cakelike" sample. With these two independent observables, the influence induced by the uncertainty of the material parameters of the sample can be effectively decreased. The influence from the closure of the laser entrance hole, which was the main challenge in conventional wall-based techniques, was avoided through localized reemitted flux measurement, facilitating drive flux measurement throughout the entire time history. These studies pave a new way for probing the time-dependent drive flux, for both cylindrical hohlraums and novel hohlraums with six laser entrance holes.
In implosion experiments, bremsstrahlung radiation ratios of broad-energy-band x-ray emission intensities (sampled by Ross pair) and narrow-energy-band x-ray emission intensities (sampled by multilayer) are typically used to extract the hotspot electron temperature. The latter method could potentially be more accurate because it does not require any additional theoretical arithmetic. However, the boundary conditions of the energy band, drastic influence on the measured electron temperature resulting from response differences of recording devices in the energy band, evident impact from uncertainties of the detector aiming, and coordinate interrelations for the two narrow-energy-band x-ray images have not been explored. These problems should be overcome to obtain the accurate hotspot electron temperature using the narrow-energy-band x-ray emission intensities method. This study solves the problems indicated above by exploring a diagnosis technique to extract the accurate hotspot electron temperature. In particular, we determine that the effect of the response differences and uncertainties could be ignored when the width of the sampled narrow energy band is approximately ±0.5 keV in the linear spectrum response regions of the imaging plate, and the reflectivity of the multilayer is uniform and constant in that energy band and the viewing field of the detector (≥±110 µm). This study is the first to consider the linear spectrum response of the imaging plate in different energy regions, eliminating the effect of the response differences. Finally, the maximal emission intensities in the two recorded-energy-band x-ray images can be used for coordinate interrelation.
在神光Ⅲ原型装置上,利用8束三倍频(351.0 nm)激光注入充气黑腔产生大尺度高温等离子体并激发高水平受激布里渊散射(SBS)过程。利用1束四倍频(263.3 nm)探针束和1套广角汤姆逊散射诊断系统,获得了三倍频激光SBS过程驱动的离子声波的超热相干汤姆逊散射(STS)光谱。通过对STS光谱和背向SBS光谱进行联合分析,揭示了SBS的时空演化过程。
We report an experimental investigation of a laser-gas-converter approach for generating high-yield ultrashort MeV positrons. We observe that MeV electrons with a high charge of several tens of nC can be well generated by a ∼ 6 J , ∼ 40 f s laser interacting with a high-density gas jet. However, it is shown that the propagation of the highly charged electron beam is significantly inhibited because the electrons are reflected by the sheath potential in the density decreasing region of the gas target, thus leading to a low positron yield. Consequently, by using an integrated nozzle-converter design to eliminate the density falling ramp of the gas target such that the electron refluxing is inhibited, we observe a significant enhancement of positron yield (up to a factor of 15), finally reaching a positron yield of 5 × 10 8 s r − 1 . This high-yield ultrashort MeV positron may have great potential toward the simulation of astrophysical pair plasma.
The new hohlraum experimental platform and the quasi-3D simulation model are developed to enable the study of the indirect drive experiment using the six-cylinder-port hohlraum for the first time. It is also the first implosion experiment for the six laser-entrance-hole hohlraum to effectively use all the laser beams of the laser facility that is primarily designed for the cylindrical hohlraum. The experiments performed at the 100 kJ Laser Facility produce a peak hohlraum radiation temperature of ∼222 eV for ∼80 kJ and 2 ns square laser pulse. The inferred x-ray conversion efficiency η∼87% is similar to the cylindrical hohlraum and higher than the octahedral spherical hohlraum at the same laser facility, while the low laser backscatter is similar to the outer cone of the cylindrical hohlraum. The hohlraum radiation temperature and M-band (>1.6 keV) flux can be well reproduced by the quasi-3D simulation. The variations of the yield-over-clean and the hot spot shape can also be semiquantitatively explained by the calculated major radiation asymmetry of the quasi-3D simulation. Our work demonstrates the capability for the study of the indirect drive with the six-cylinder-port hohlraum at the cylindrically configured laser facility, which is essential for numerically assessing the laser energy required by the ignition-scale six-cylinder-port hohlraum.
The physics of laser-plasma interaction is studied on the Shenguang III prototype laser facility under conditions relevant to inertial confinement fusion designs. A sub-millimeter-size underdense hot plasma is created by ionization of a low-density plastic foam by four high-energy (3.2 kJ) laser beams. An interaction beam is fired with a delay permitting evaluation of the excitation of parametric instabilities at different stages of plasma evolution. Multiple diagnostics are used for plasma characterization, scattered radiation, and accelerated electrons. The experimental results are analyzed with radiation hydrodynamic simulations that take account of foam ionization and homogenization. The measured level of stimulated Raman scattering is almost one order of magnitude larger than that measured in experiments with gasbags and hohlraums on the same installation, possibly because of a greater plasma density. Notable amplification is achieved in high-intensity speckles, indicating the importance of implementing laser temporal smoothing techniques with a large bandwidth for controlling laser propagation and absorption.
动理学效应的研究是近年来激光惯性约束聚变领域的研究热点,有助于理解实验结果和传统流体模拟之间的偏差.间接驱动黑腔中等离子体的温度、密度跨越多个量级且靶丸组分复杂,在局域的高温低密度区域,粒子的非平衡效应开始变得显著,可能会间接影响内爆性能.对ICF领域动理学效应的概念和部分进展做了简要综述.
Plasma density and temperature can be diagnosed by x-ray line emission measurement with crystal, and bent crystals such as von Hamos and Hall structures are proposed to improve the diffraction brightness. In this study, a straightforward solution for the focusing schemes of flat and bent crystals is provided. Simulations ith XOP code are performed to validate the analytical model, and good agreements are achieved. The von Hamos or multi-cone crystal can lead to several hundred times intensity enhancements for a 200 upmu mplasma source. This model benefits the applications of the bent crystals.
A tungsten (W)-doped high density carbon (HDC) target is a promising design for an ignition target in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The influence of silicon (Si) and W on the transmission of M-band x-ray has been studied by experiment. With a radiation temperature of ∼200 eV, the transmitted M-band x-ray (1.6–4.4 keV) flux and spectrum of Si or W-buried HDC sample were measured by M-XRDs and TGS, respectively. The thin layer of Si or W was buried at two different depths (2.1 μm and 11 μm). Results show that M-band transmission flux of Si-buried HDC sample decreases with buried depth (bd). However, bd does not influence that of the W-buried HDC sample. The one-dimensional simulation result is consistent with the experimental result. In the 1D simulation, the Au M-band (2–5 keV) transmission flux of Si-buried HDC also decreases with bd. However, the Au M-band transmission flux of W-buried HDC increases at first and then decreases. This is mainly due to the different characteristics of Si and W opacity. Especially as the peak radiation temperature reaches 260 eV, W can still absorb the M-band x-ray efficiently as it is buried near the radiation source. Based on these studies, an optimized W-doped HDC target with low doped fraction and mass has been proposed in this paper.
The results of a commissioning experiment on the SILEX-Ⅱ laser facility (formerly known as CAEP-PW) are reported. SILEX-Ⅱ is a complete optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification laser facility. The peak power reached about 1 PW in a 30 fs pulse duration during the experiment. The laser contrast was better than 1010 at 20 ps ahead of the main pulse. In the basic laser foil target interaction, a set of experimental data were collected, including spatially resolved x-ray emission, the image of the coherent transition radiation, the harmonic spectra in the direction of reflection, the energy spectra and beam profile of accelerated protons, hot-electron spectra, and transmitted laser energy fraction and spatial distribution. The experimental results show that the laser intensity reached 5 × 1020 W/cm2 within a 5.8 µm focus (FWHM). Significant laser transmission did not occur when the thickness of the CH foil was equal to or greater than 50 nm. The maximum energy of the accelerated protons in the target normal direction was roughly unchanged when the target thickness varied between 50 nm and 15 µm. The maximum proton energy via the target normal sheath field acceleration mechanism was about 21 MeV. We expect the on-target laser intensity to reach 1022 W/cm2 in the near future, after optimization of the laser focus and upgrade of the laser power to 3 PW.
The x-ray emissivity of gadolinium (Gd) and gold (Au) has been studied using the FLYCHK code. The results show that the Gd M-band is lower than 2 keV and that Gd has a higher x-ray emissivity at low temperature. Thus, we proposed a Gd + Au + Gd sandwich design to improve the x-ray conversion efficiency (CE). Under a laser intensity of 1 × 1015 W/cm2, a 11%–17% enhancement of the CE and an optimized x-ray spectrum were achieved in one-dimensional simulation. The enhancement of the CE is mainly due to an enhancement of the soft x-ray flux (0 keV–2 keV). In addition, the high energy x-ray flux (2 keV–5 keV) is lower than that of Au. Particularly at an early stage, the laser ablates the Gd layer, and the temperature of the Au layer is insufficient for producing an M-band emission. Thus, the high energy x-ray flux is rather low. A sandwich design not only takes advantage of the higher x-ray emissivity of Gd under specific conditions in an efficient manner but also simplifies the target fabrication, which is important. In addition, Gd can also be used to optimize the future design of depleted uranium Hohlraum.
Understanding the generation and evolution of magnetic fields in high-energy-density plasmas is a major scientific challenge in broad research areas including astrophysics, cosmology, and laser fusion energy. However, the fully three-dimensional (3D) topologies of such dynamic magnetic fields are still unknown yet. Here we report experiments of the first 3D synchronous proton radiography for self-generated magnetic fields in respectively laser-produced low-Z CH and high-Z Cu plasmas. The radiography images show that abundant 3D filamentary structures of magnetic fields grow up in coronal region of CH plasmas, while for Cu, the fields are majorly compressed along the dense surface region whose internal structures are pretty vague. These results are reproduced and explained by a combination of radiation-magnetohydrodynamic, particle-in-cell and Vlasov-Fokker-Planck simulations, where the cross-scale effects of Biermann battery, Nernst advection, resistive diffusion, Righi-Leduc and particularly kinetic Weibel instability are all taken into account. Our findings provide much enlightenment to the role of magnetic field generation in implosion and hohlraum dynamics of laser fusion.
在激光间接驱动的惯性约束聚变(ICF)中,高强度激光与低密度等离子体发生相互作用,会激发两种受激散射过程:受激布里渊散射和受激拉曼散射.它们会损失激光能量、破坏辐射场对称性、产生超热电子,从而危害聚变点火过程.因此,理解受激散射的物理过程并找到抑制其发展的有效方法,是ICF研究中重点关注的问题.介绍了中国激光聚变研究团队为研究受激散射过程而发展的多个理论模型,以及这些模型在实验数据分析中的具体应用.这些理论模型与实验研究一起,为提升受激散射过程的物理理解发挥了重要作用.
A rapid, on-site, and accurate SARS-CoV-2 detection method is crucial for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. However, such an ideal screening technology has not yet been developed for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we have developed a deep learning-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique for the sensitive, rapid, and on-site detection of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the throat swabs or sputum from 30 confirmed COVID-19 patients. A Raman database based on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was established from experiments and theoretical calculations. The corresponding biochemical foundation for this method is also discussed. The deep learning model could predict the SARS-CoV-2 antigen with an identification accuracy of 87.7%. These results suggested that this method has great potential for the diagnosis, monitoring, and control of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide.