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The TARANIS laser: A multi-Terawatt system for laser-plasma investigations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2010

T. Dzelzainis
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
G. Nersisyan
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
D. Riley*
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
L. Romagnani
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
H. Ahmed
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
A. Bigongiari
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
M. Borghesi
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
D. Doria
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
B. Dromey
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
M. Makita
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
S. White
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
S. Kar
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
D. Marlow
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
B. Ramakrishna
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
G. Sarri
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
M. Zaka-Ul-Islam
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
M. Zepf
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
C.L.S. Lewis
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: D. Riley, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The multi-Terawatt laser system, terawatt apparatus for relativistic and nonlinear interdisciplinary science, has been recently installed in the Centre for Plasma Physics at the Queen's University of Belfast. The system will support a wide ranging science program, which will include laser-driven particle acceleration, X-ray lasers, and high energy density physics experiments. Here we present an overview of the laser system as well as the results of preliminary investigations on ion acceleration and X-ray lasers, mainly carried out as performance tests for the new apparatus. We also discuss some possible experiments that exploit the flexibility of the system in delivering pump-probe capability.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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References

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