Lighting up the Christmas tree: high-intensity laser interactions with a nano-structured target

A. Gonoskov, C. Harvey, A. Ilderton, F. Mackenroth, M. Marklund

(Submitted on 17 Dec 2014)

http://arxiv.org/pdf/1412.5998.pdf

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the spare time we had 

during which this research was conducted.

We perform a numerical study of the interaction of a high-intensity laser pulse with a nano-structured target. In particular, we study a target where the nano-structuring increases the absorption rate as compared to the flat target case. The transport of electrons within the target, and in particular in the nano-structure, is analysed. It is shown that it is indeed possible, using a terawatt class laser, to light up a nano-scale Christmas tree. Due to the form of the tree we achieve very strong edge fields, in particular at the top where the star is located. Such edge fields, as here located at ion rich spots, makes strong acceleration gradients possible. It also results in a nice, warm glow suitable for the holiday season.

Comments:	3 pages, 4 figures
Subjects:	Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph)
Cite as:	arXiv:1412.5998 [physics.pop-ph]
	(or arXiv:1412.5998v1 [physics.pop-ph] for this version)