Ultrafast phase contrast imaging of laser driven shocks using betatron X-rays

ORAL

Abstract

Bright, high-energy photon sources, such as synchrotrons and more recently the new generation of X-ray free-electron lasers, offer the attractive combination of high brilliance, short pulse duration and high-energy X-rays. Betatron X-rays produced within a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator provide an exciting complementary energetic photon source to these large scale facilities. We describe the first proof-of-principle experiments imaging shock-front evolution in laser driven targets using wakefield betatron X-rays. These pioneering experiments were performed on the 400TW Gemini laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK. Shock waves were driven into silicon wafers along the [100] direction, and stroboscopically imaged perpendicular to the shock propagation direction using a $\approx40$ fs betatron X-ray pulse. These initial results showcase a promising, potentially table top sized X-ray source suitable for probing the response of materials under extreme condition.

–

Authors

  • David Chapman

    • Institute of Shock Physics, Imperial College London
    • Imperial College London
    • Institute of Shock Physics, Imperial College London, UK

  • M.E. Rutherford

    • Institute of Shock Physics, Imperial College London, UK

  • T.G. White

    • Institute of Shock Physics, Imperial College London, UK

  • D.E. Eakins

    • Institute of Shock Physics, Imperial College London, UK

  • J.C. Wood

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • K. Poder

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • N.C. Lopes

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • J.S.J. Bryant

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • S.P.D. Mangles

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • Z. Najmudin

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • J.S. Cole

    • John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Imperial College London, UK

  • F. Albert

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NIF and Photon Sciences, USA

  • B.B. Pollack

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NIF and Photon Sciences, USA

  • K.T. Behm

    • Centre for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, USA

  • Z. Zhao

    • Centre for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, USA

  • A.G.R. Thomas

    • Centre for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, USA

  • K. Krushelnick

    • Centre for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, USA

  • W. Schumaker

    • SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Photon Science, Stanford University, USA

  • S. Glenzer

    • SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Photon Science, Stanford University, USA