Relativistic Nano-Plasma Photonics

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Alexander Andreev; Dr. Matthias Schnürer
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 265596126

Nano-plasma photonics (NPP) is a field which deals with optical processes in plasma at the nano-scale, smaller than the wavelength of the laser radiation. Laser-matter interactions, which include nano-scale confinement of optical radiation and its transformation, present numerous opportunities for both fundamental research and technological applications. NPP is closely connected with the creation of structures at nano-scale and the interaction of very intense light with such structures. The project Relativistic Nano-Plasma Photonics is based on very intense (relativistic) laser light intensities for the radiation conversion and will concentrate on fundamental aspects of ultra-short X-ray and particle pulse generation by femtosecond lasers interacting with specific foil targets. These foils have been prepared with laser-induced nanostructure layers. The intensity of the preparation laser is typically several orders of magnitude lower as the interaction laser for secondary radiation creation. By combining theoretical and experimental work the project aims for maximizing the efficiency of energy transfer from intense laser light to secondary radiation. Optimized target structures will be proposed and first explored by detailed numerical simulations. Based on knowledge from collaboration partners laser initiated surface structuring will be adapted to relevant target foils. The essential form-factor parameters of a structure in respect to available laser parameters will be elucidated. Experiments will be carried out with available laser systems and feedback will be implemented in the theoretical program. The unique feature of this project proposal is a principle all optical solution for in-line target structuring (with attenuated pulses of the high intensity laser) and following laser driven x-ray and particle generation. Experimental results on the stability of nanostructure layers with respect to pre-pulses of the intense interaction laser will be acquired. The use of relativistic laser intensities and its impact on secondary radiation sources (especially X-ray) will be analyzed and compared to currently used laser-based sources.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants