Shaping of laser-accelerated ion beams for applications in high energy density physics

The properties of laser-accelerated ion beams are fundamentally different from those of conventional ion sources and therefore offer the potential to expand the scope of accelerators for applications and research. The most studied laser-based acceleration mechanism is the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) which has proven to reliably provide multi-MeV ion bunches with a high particle flux and outstanding beam quality. But since the TNSA-generated ion beam typically has a large energy spread, a large divergence, and a strong background radiation it is unsuitable for many applications. For this reason, laser-driven ion beamlines with conventional accelerator elements such as quadrupoles, solenoids, and plasma lenses are used in various laboratories around the world to shape the beam to the respective requirements.

In this context, also the Laser Ion Generation, Handling and Transport (LIGHT) collaboration was founded and a laser-driven beamline was realized at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH. In this beamline, energy selection, ion transport and transverse focusing are realized by two pulsed high-field solenoid magnets and a radio frequency (RF) cavity can be used to manipulate the longitudinal ion beam dynamics.

In this seminar, I will present the latest findings and achievements of the LIGHT collaboration as well as detailed investigations on the extent to which the LIGHT beamline can be used for ion-stopping power experiments in plasma and as an injector for the SIS18 synchrotron.