DOE OSTI · 3016160
Multi-messenger dynamic imaging of laser-driven shocks in water using a plasma wakefield accelerator
Abstract
Understanding dense matter hydrodynamics is critical for predicting plasma behavior in environments relevant to laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. Traditional diagnostic sources face limitations in brightness, spatiotemporal resolution, and in their ability to detect relevant electromagnetic fields. In this work, we present a dual-probe, multi-messenger laser wakefield accelerator platform combining ultrafast X-rays and relativistic electron beams at 1 Hz, to interrogate a free-flowing water target in vacuum, heated by an intense 200 ps laser pulse. This scheme enables high-repetition-rate tracking the evolution of the interaction using both particle types. Betatron X-rays reveal a cylindrically symmetric shock compression morphology assisted by low-density vapor, resembling foam-layer-assisted fusion targets. The synchronized electron beam detects time-evolving electromagnetic fields, uncovering charge separation and ion species differentiation during plasma expansion – phenomena not captured by photons or hydrodynamic simulations. We show that combining both probes provides complementary insights spanning kinetic to hydrodynamic regimes, highlighting the need for hybrid physics models to accurately predict fusion-relevant plasma behavior.
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Balcazar, Mario D. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000311510316), Tsai, Hai-En [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Ostermayr, Tobias M. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000169131066), Campbell, Paul T. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000271920221), Trantham, Matthew R. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)], Albert, Félicie [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Chen, Qiang [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Colgan, Cary [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000162272317), Dyer, Gilliss M. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000197559780), Eisentraut, Zachary [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Esarey, Eric [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Grace, Elizabeth S. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000000034564972X), Greenwood, Benjamin [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0009000732710110), Gonsalves, Anthony J. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Hakimi, Sahel [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000000022493564X), Jacob, Robert [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000164849917), Kettle, Brendan [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000344244448), King, Paul [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)], Krushelnick, Karl [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)], Lemos, Nuno [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Los, Eva E. [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000255450346), Ma, Yong [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000239194856), Mangles, Stuart P. D. [Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)] (ORCID:0000000324434201), Nees, John [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)], Pagano, Isabella M. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)], Schroeder, Carl B. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000296100166), Simpson, Raspberry A. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)], Vazquez, Anthony V. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:000900075523222X), van Tilborg, Jeroen [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000270287735), Geddes, Cameron G. R. [Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)], Thomas, Alexander G. R. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000332068512), Kuranz, Carolyn C. [Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)]. 2025-12-16. Multi-messenger dynamic imaging of laser-driven shocks in water using a plasma wakefield accelerator. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67224-3
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