Microengineering laser plasma interactions at relativistic intensities

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how ordered silicon microwire arrays can manipulate laser-plasma interactions at relativistic intensities, enhancing electron acceleration and guiding electrons via self-generated electromagnetic fields.

Contribution

It presents the first proof-of-principle experiment showing microscale laser-matter interaction manipulation using silicon microwires for improved electron acceleration.

Findings

Enhanced electron beam energies observed.

Electromagnetic lens effect from self-generated fields.

Microscale structuring influences laser-plasma dynamics.

Abstract

We report on the first successful proof-of-principle experiment to manipulate laser-matter interactions on the microscale using highly ordered Si microwire arrays. The interaction of a high contrast short pulse laser with a flat target via periodic Si microwires yields a substantial enhancement in both total and cut-off energies of the produced electron beam. The self generated electric and magnetic fields behave as an electromagnetic lens that confines and guides electrons between the microwires as they acquire relativistic energies via direct laser acceleration (DLA).