Effects of simulation dimensionality on laser-driven electron acceleration and photon emission in hollow microchannel targets

Tao Wang, David Blackman, Katherine Chin, and Alexey Arefiev
Phys. Rev. E 104, 045206 – Published 18 October 2021

Abstract

Using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) kinetic simulations, we examine the impact of simulation dimensionality on the laser-driven electron acceleration and the emission of collimated γ-ray beams from hollow microchannel targets. We demonstrate that the dimensionality of the simulations considerably influences the results of electron acceleration and photon generation owing to the variation of laser phase velocity in different geometries. In a 3D simulation with a cylindrical geometry, the acceleration process of electrons terminates early due to the higher phase velocity of the propagating laser fields; in contrast, 2D simulations with planar geometry tend to have prolonged electron acceleration and thus produce much more energetic electrons. The photon beam generated in the 3D setup is found to be more diverged accompanied with a lower conversion efficiency. Our paper concludes that the 2D simulation can qualitatively reproduce the features in 3D simulation, but for quantitative evaluations and reliable predictions to facilitate experiment designs 3D modeling is strongly recommended.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
1 More
  • Received 15 April 2021
  • Revised 5 August 2021
  • Accepted 24 September 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.104.045206

©2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Plasma Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Tao Wang, David Blackman, Katherine Chin, and Alexey Arefiev

  • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA and Center for Energy Research, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 4 — October 2021

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
×