Generation of ultrahigh field by micro-bubble implosion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel bubble implosion technique using ultraintense lasers to generate ultrahigh electric fields and relativistic protons, potentially surpassing 100 MeV for applications in physics and medicine.

Contribution

It proposes a new concept of bubble implosions combining micro-bubbles and ultraintense lasers to produce ultrahigh fields and relativistic protons, supported by 3D simulations.

Findings

Bubble implosions can generate electric fields capable of accelerating protons to relativistic energies.

Simulations show bubble walls undergo volumetric acceleration, creating dense proton accumulations.

The method is feasible with current technology for experimental validation.

Abstract

Breaking the 100-MeV barrier for proton acceleration will help elucidate fundamental physics and advance practical applications from inertial confinement fusion to tumour therapy. Herein we propose a novel concept of bubble implosions. A bubble implosion combines micro-bubbles and ultraintense laser pulses of 10^20-10^22W/cm^2 to generate ultrahigh fields and relativistic protons. The bubble wall protons undergo volumetric acceleration toward the centre due to the spherically symmetric Coulomb force and the innermost protons accumulate at the centre with a density comparable to the interior of a white dwarf. Then an unprecedentedly high electric field is formed, which produces an energetic proton flash. Three-dimensional particle simulations confirm the robustness of Coulomb-imploded bubbles, which behave as nano-pulsars with repeated implosions and explosions to emit protons. Current technologies should be sufficient to experimentally verify concept of bubble implosions.