Modelling the effect of the radiation reaction force on the acceleration of ultra-thin foils

M. J. Duff; R. Capdessus; M. King; D. Del Sorbo; C. P. Ridgers; P. McKenna

doi:10.1117/12.2267424

17 May 2017 Modelling the effect of the radiation reaction force on the acceleration of ultra-thin foils

M. J. Duff, R. Capdessus, M. King, D. Del Sorbo, C. P. Ridgers, P. McKenna

Proceedings Volume 10241, Research Using Extreme Light: Entering New Frontiers with Petawatt-Class Lasers III; 102410V (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2267424
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2017, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

An investigation of the effects of the radiation reaction force on radiation pressure acceleration is presented. Through 1D(3V) PIC code simulations, it is found that radiation reaction causes a decrease in the target velocity during the interaction of an ultra-intense laser pulse with a solid density thin foil of varying thickness. This change in the target velocity can be related to the loss of backwards-directed electrons due to cooling and reflection in the laser field. The loss of this electron population changes the distribution of the emitted synchrotron radiation. We demonstrate that it is the emission of radiation which leads to the observed decrease in target velocity. Through a modification to the light sail equation of motion (which is used to describe radiation pressure acceleration in thin foils), which accounts for the conversion of laser energy to synchrotron radiation, we can describe this change in target velocity. This model can be tested in future experiments with ultra-high intensity lasers, and will lead to a better understanding of the process of relativistically induced transparency in the new intensity regime.

Citation Download Citation

M. J. Duff, R. Capdessus, M. King, D. Del Sorbo, C. P. Ridgers, and P. McKenna "Modelling the effect of the radiation reaction force on the acceleration of ultra-thin foils", Proc. SPIE 10241, Research Using Extreme Light: Entering New Frontiers with Petawatt-Class Lasers III, 102410V (17 May 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2267424

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available