Parametric investigation of laser interaction with uniform and nanostructured near-critical plasmas

TL;DR

This study uses 2D particle-in-cell simulations to explore how nanostructures influence laser energy absorption and radiative losses in near-critical plasmas, revealing enhanced ion acceleration at high intensities.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the role of nanostructuring in laser-plasma interactions, specifically on energy conversion efficiency and radiative losses at various intensities.

Findings

Nanostructures increase ion kinetic energy conversion efficiency.

Nanostructures affect radiative losses at high laser intensities.

Energy absorption is influenced by nanostructure presence.

Abstract

Laser interaction with uniform and nanostructured near-critical plasmas has been investigated by means of 2D particle-in-cell simulations. The effect of a nanostructure (modeled as a collection of solid-density nanospheres) on energy absorption and radiative losses has been assessed in a wide range of laser intensities and average densities of the target. The nanostructure was found to affect mainly the conversion efficiency of laser energy into ion kinetic energy and radiative losses for the highest simulated intensities.