Transport of an intense proton beam from a cone-structured target through plastic foam with unique proton source modeling

K. Bhutwala, C. McGuffey, W. Theobald, O. Deppert, J. Kim, P. M. Nilson, M. S. Wei, Y. Ping, M. E. Foord, H. S. McLean, P. K. Patel, A. Higginson, M. Roth, and F. N. Beg
Phys. Rev. E 105, 055206 – Published 13 May 2022

Abstract

Laser-accelerated proton beams are applicable to several research areas within high-energy density science, including warm dense matter generation, proton radiography, and inertial confinement fusion, which all involve transport of the beam through matter. We report on experimental measurements of intense proton beam transport through plastic foam blocks. The intense proton beam was accelerated by the 10ps, 700J OMEGA EP laser irradiating a curved foil target, and focused by an attached hollow cone. The protons then entered the foam block of density 0.38g/cm3 and thickness 0.55 or 1.00mm. At the rear of the foam block, a Cu layer revealed the cross section of the intense beam via proton- and hot electron-induced Cu-Kα emission. Images of x-ray emission show a bright spot on the rear Cu film indicative of a forward-directed beam without major breakup. 2D fluid-PIC simulations of the transport were conducted using a unique multi-injection source model incorporating energy-dependent beam divergence. Along with postprocessed calculations of the CuKα emission profile, simulations showed that protons retain their ballistic transport through the foam and are able to heat the foam up to several keV in temperature. The total experimental emission profile for the 1.0mm foam agrees qualitatively with the simulated profile, suggesting that the protons indeed retain their beamlike qualities.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 25 October 2021
  • Accepted 31 March 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.105.055206

©2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Plasma Physics

Authors & Affiliations

K. Bhutwala1,*, C. McGuffey1,4, W. Theobald2, O. Deppert3, J. Kim1, P. M. Nilson2, M. S. Wei4,†, Y. Ping5, M. E. Foord5, H. S. McLean5, P. K. Patel5, A. Higginson1,‡, M. Roth3, and F. N. Beg1

  • 1Center for Energy Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0417, USA
  • 2Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
  • 3Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
  • 4General Atomics, P.O. Box 85608, San Diego, California 92186-5608, USA
  • 5Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550, USA

  • *Corresponding author: kbhutwal@eng.ucsd.edu
  • Present address: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA.
  • Present address: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 5 — May 2022

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×