Enhancement of J x B electron acceleration with the micro-structured target and picosecond high-contrast relativistic-intensity laser pulse

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that micro-structured targets combined with high-contrast laser pulses significantly enhance electron acceleration via J x B mechanisms, offering a practical method to improve laser-plasma energy transfer efficiency.

Contribution

It reveals that micro-structuring and high laser contrast are essential for maximizing electron acceleration efficiency through J x B effects in laser-plasma interactions.

Findings

Micro-structured targets increase electron conversion efficiency from 4.9% to 14%.

High contrast laser pulses are necessary for effective micro-structure enhancement.

Pre-plasma formation under low contrast negates the micro-structure benefits.

Abstract

Efficient generation of multi-hundred-keV electrons is essential for isochoric heating and can influence ion acceleration. We investigated electron acceleration from copper-oleate foil targets, either planar or coated with a gold mesh structure (bar width $5,\mu\mathrm{m}$, spacing $7.5,\mu\mathrm{m}$, thickness $\sim6,\mu\mathrm{m}$), irradiated by $1.5$-ps, $350$-J LFEX laser pulses. Two laser-contrast conditions were examined: high ($\sim10^{10}$, with a plasma mirror) and low ($\sim10^{8}$, without a plasma mirror). Using Cu-K$_\alpha$ emission mapping, we found that under high-contrast irradiation the micro-structured target enhanced the laser-to-electron conversion efficiency from $4.9\%$ to $14\%$, attributed to multiple internal reflections that strengthen $J\times B$ acceleration. In contrast, under low-contrast conditions the structures were filled with pre-plasma before the main pulse, and no enhancement was observed. These results demonstrate that both fine-scale structuring and high contrast are crucial for maximizing $J\times B$-driven electron generation in laser-plasma interactions. Our findings suggest a practical approach to improving laser-plasma coupling efficiency by exploiting micro-structured surfaces and contrast-controlled irradiation.