2025/03/27 by Marta Galbiati, Kevin Ambrogioni, Galbiati, Marta +12 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Laser Design and Applications #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2503.21630
openalex publication_date 2025/03/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A source of high-energy photons, ions, and positrons can be attained with the interaction of ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulses with advanced nanostructured targets. We present and characterise a numerical model that mimics the foam deposition process on solid substrates, as it occurs in Double-Layer Target (DLT) manufacturing. The model is integrated into Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations in full 3D geometry to study electron acceleration, consequent high-energy photon emission, proton acceleration, and pair production with realistic target and laser parameters. We highlight the importance of realistic foam morphology modelling even at high-laser intensity and the need for specific optimisation of target parameters with realistic PIC simulations to improve radiation production efficiency. Our study shows that the DLT could be a compact multi-purpose scheme to achieve high-brightness photons and high-energy protons and to observe and optimise non-linear Breit-Wheeler pair production.