Public Abstract

DE-SC0020396: Meter-scale plasma channels produced via superluminal ionization waves

Award Status: Inactive

Institution: Research Foundation for the State University of New York d/b/a RFSUNY - Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
UEI: M746VC6XMNH9
DUNS: 804878247

Most Recent Award Date: 08/21/2023
Number of Support Periods: 2
PM: Colby, Eric

Current Budget Period: 09/25/2020 - 02/29/2024
Current Project Period: 09/25/2019 - 02/29/2024
PI: Vafaei-Najafabadi, Navid

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Meter-scale plasma channels produced via superluminal ionization waves Navid Vafaei-Najafabadi, Stony Brook University (Principal Investigator) Dustin H. Froula, University of Rochester (Co-Investigator) Meter-scale plasma channels are an essential component of plasma-based accelerators. In addition to enabling plasma wakefield accelerators for HEP research, these plasma sources enable a wide range of applications such as all-optical synchrotron-like radiation sources, magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) research, and fundamental plasma physics research such as the investigation of Raman amplification of short-pulse lasers. The development of a flexible technology for generating long plasma channels with controlled characteristics will spur significant advancements in multiple areas of plasma science including plasma accelerators. These advancements will be enabled by the introduction of a generalized framework in this proposal that can be adapted to tailor the properties of the plasma channels to suit a variety of applications. The objective of this proposal is to design proof of principle meter-scale plasma channels with controlled characteristics. The plasma channels will be generated using an “ionization wave” created by a method known as the flying focus. The flying focus uses a hyper-chromatic lens (e.g., a diffractive lens) to longitudinally disperse the light combined with a chirped laser to generate an ionizing laser pulse, which can be used to create an ionization wave that travels at any velocity. This method presents unique advantages over other plasma-formation methods because (1) the velocity of the ionization wave can be controlled and matched to that of a pulsed driver, e.g. a laser pulse, (2) this method circumvents the issue of ionization induced refraction, (3) constant intensity and plasma conditions can be sustained over distances much longer then the Rayleigh length. The flying focus provides the precise control of the shape, uniformity, and the temporal evolution of the plasma channel, which allows the channel formation to be tailored to suit a variety of applications. Our proposed research will leverage simulation, theory, and experiments to design and test prototypes of meter-scale plasma channels. The proposed project seeks to apply an innovative technology to circumvent the significant problems of the currently employed techniques, in addition to enabling new possibilities and capabilities. At the conclusion of this project we will have gained the knowledge, the experience, and the proof of principle results that will facilitate the design of a meter-scale plasma source with prescribed characteristics. The demonstration and characterization of the density and temperature evolution for a controlled, meter-scale plasma source will be a valuable plasma physics milestone in its own right. More importantly, it will enable a variety of applications in particle acceleration, radiation generation, and fusion research.

Meter-scale plasma channels produced via superluminal ionization waves

Navid Vafaei-Najafabadi, Stony Brook University (Principal Investigator)

Dustin H. Froula, University of Rochester (Co-Investigator)

Meter-scale plasma channels are an essential component of plasma-based accelerators. In addition to enabling plasma wakefield accelerators for HEP research, these plasma sources enable a wide range of applications such as all-optical synchrotron-like radiation sources, magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) research, and fundamental plasma physics research such as the investigation of Raman amplification of short-pulse lasers. The development of a flexible technology for generating long plasma channels with controlled characteristics will spur significant advancements in multiple areas of plasma science including plasma accelerators. These advancements will be enabled by the introduction of a generalized framework in this proposal that can be adapted to tailor the properties of the plasma channels to suit a variety of applications.

The objective of this proposal is to design proof of principle meter-scale plasma channels with controlled characteristics. The plasma channels will be generated using an “ionization wave” created by a method known as the flying focus. The flying focus uses a hyper-chromatic lens (e.g., a diffractive lens) to longitudinally disperse the light combined with a chirped laser to generate an ionizing laser pulse, which can be used to create an ionization wave that travels at any velocity. This method presents unique advantages over other plasma-formation methods because (1) the velocity of the ionization wave can be controlled and matched to that of a pulsed driver, e.g. a laser pulse, (2) this method circumvents the issue of ionization induced refraction, (3) constant intensity and plasma conditions can be sustained over distances much longer then the Rayleigh length. The flying focus provides the precise control of the shape, uniformity, and the temporal evolution of the plasma channel, which allows the channel formation to be tailored to suit a variety of applications. Our proposed research will leverage simulation, theory, and experiments to design and test prototypes of meter-scale plasma channels.

The proposed project seeks to apply an innovative technology to circumvent the significant problems of the currently employed techniques, in addition to enabling new possibilities and capabilities. At the conclusion of this project we will have gained the knowledge, the experience, and the proof of principle results that will facilitate the design of a meter-scale plasma source with prescribed characteristics. The demonstration and characterization of the density and temperature evolution for a controlled, meter-scale plasma source will be a valuable plasma physics milestone in its own right. More importantly, it will enable a variety of applications in particle acceleration, radiation generation, and fusion research.