Overview of Target Normal Sheath Acceleration Experiments and Diagnostics at SPARC_LAB

Year: 2025

Authors: Stocchi F., Anania M.P., Bisesto F., Cianchi A., Cipriani M., Consoli F., Costa G., Curcio A., Galletti M., Pompili R., Salvadori M., Verona C., Zigler A., Ferrario M.

Autors Affiliation: Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Lab Nazl Frascati, Via Enrico Fermi 40, I-00044 Frascati, Italy; Univ Roma Tor Vergata, Dept Phys, Via Ric Sci 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy; ENEA, Ctr Ric Frascati, Nucl Dept, Via Enrico Fermi 45, I-00044 Frascati, Italy; Sapienza Univ Roma, SBAI Dept, Via Antonio Scarpa 14, I-00161 Rome, Italy; CNR INO, Intense Laser Irradiat Lab ILIL, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy; Univ Roma Tor Vergata, Dept Ind Engn, Via Politecn 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy; Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Racah Inst Phys, IL-9190401 Jerusalem, Israel.

Abstract: The interaction of an ultra-short, high-power laser pulse with a solid target, in the so-called Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) configuration, produces particles in the MeV range. Fast electrons can escape from the target after the interaction, inducing electrostatic fields on the order of TV/m close to the target surface. These fields accelerate MeV protons and heavy ions at the rear of the target, allowing them to escape. The complete process is difficult to probe, as it occurs on the sub-ps timescale. At the INFN-LNF SPARC_LAB test facility, single-shot diagnostics such as the Electro-Optic Sampling (EOS) are being developed and tested for time-resolved direct measurements of the produced electrons and associated longitudinal electric fields. Electrons are the core of the process, and their properties determine the following production of positive charge particles and electromagnetic radiation. Different target geometries and materials are being investigated to analyze the enhancement of fast electron emission and the correlation with positive charge production. Simultaneous observations of electron and proton beams have been performed using two diagnostic lines, the EOS for electrons and a time-of-flight (TOF) detector for protons. This work provides an overview of the previous experiments performed at SPARC_LAB dedicated to the TNSA characterization.

Journal/Review: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Volume: 15 (24)      Pages from: 13001-1  to: 13001-20

More Information: This work has been partially supported by the EU Commission in the Seventh Framework Program, Grant Agreement 312453-EuCARD-2, and the Italian Research Minister in the framework of FIRB-Fondo per gli Investimenti della Ricerca di Base, Project n. RBFR12NK5K. The work of one of us (A.Z.) was partially supported by BSF foundation. This work was also supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 653782.
KeyWords: particle accelerator; beam diagnostics; laser diagnostics; plasma diagnostics; TNSA
DOI: 10.3390/app152413001