Nuclear Physics with 10 PW laser beams at Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)

• Published in: The European physical journal. ST, Special topics Vol. 223; no. 6; pp. 1221 - 1227
• Main Author: Zamfir, N.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Atomic; Classical and Continuum Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Materials Science; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Review; Zetta-Exawatt Science and Technology; Solid Target; Proton Beam; Underdense Plasma; European Physical Journal Special Topic; Exotic Phenomenon
• ISSN: 1951-6355; 1951-6401
• DOI: 10.1140/epjst/e2014-02176-0

The field of the uncharted territory of high-intensity laser interaction with matter is confronted with new exotic phenomena and, consequently, opens new research perspectives. The intense laser beams interacting with a gas or solid target generate beams of electrons, protons and ions. These beams can induce nuclear reactions. Electrons also generate ions high-energy photons via bremsstrahlung processes which can also induce nuclear reactions. In this context a new research domain began to form in the last decade or so, namely nuclear physics with high power lasers. The observation of high brilliance proton beams of tens of MeV energy from solid targets has stimulated an intense research activity. The laser-driven particle beams have to compete with conventional nuclear accelerator-generated beams. The ultimate goal is aiming at applications of the laser produced beams in research, technology and medicine. The mechanism responsible for ion acceleration are currently subject of intensive research in many laboratories in the world. The existing results, experimental and theoretical, and their perspectives are reviewed in this article in the context of IZEST and the scientific program of ELI-NP.