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Paul Gibbon

Bio: Paul Gibbon is an academic researcher from University of Jena. The author has contributed to research in topics: Laser & Femtosecond. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 40 publications receiving 3441 citations. Previous affiliations of Paul Gibbon include Schiller International University & French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors survey the development of high-order harmonic generation of femtosecond laser pulses by means of laser-produced plasmas and discuss the prospects for applying HHG as a short-wavelength coherent optical tool.
Abstract: The investigation of high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of femtosecond laser pulses by means of laser-produced plasmas is surveyed. This kind of harmonic generation is an alternative to the HHG in gases and shows significantly higher conversion efficiency. Furthermore, with plasma targets there is no limitation on applicable laser intensity and thus the generated harmonics can be much more intense. In principle, harmonic light may also be generated at relativistic laser intensity, in which case their harmonic intensities may even exceed that of the focused laser pulse by many orders of magnitude. This phenomenon presents new opportunities for applications such as nonlinear optics in the extreme ultraviolet region, photoelectron spectroscopy, and opacity measurements of high-density matter with high temporal and spatial resolution. On the other hand, HHG is strongly influenced by the laser-plasma interaction itself. In particular, recent results show a strong correlation with high-energy electrons generated during the interaction process. The harmonics are a promising tool for obtaining information not only on plasma parameters such as the local electron density, but also on the presence of large electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, and the (electron) transport inside the target. This paper reviews the theoretical and experimental progress on HHGmore » via laser-plasma interactions and discusses the prospects for applying HHG as a short-wavelength, coherent optical tool.« less

363 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors surveyed recent theoretical and experimental research with short-pulse, high-intensity lasers with particular emphasis on new physical processes that occur in interactions with low-and high-density plasmas.
Abstract: Recent theoretical and experimental research with short-pulse, high-intensity lasers is surveyed with particular emphasis on new physical processes that occur in interactions with low- and high-density plasmas. Basic models of femtosecond laser - solid interaction are described including collisional absorption, transport, hydrodynamics, fast electron and hard x-ray generation, together with recently predicted phenomena at extreme intensities, such as gigagauss magnetic fields and induced transparency. New developments in the complementary field of nonlinear propagation in ionized gases are reviewed, including field ionization, relativistic self-focusing, wakefield generation and scattering instabilities. Applications in the areas of x-ray generation for medical and biological imaging, new coherent light sources, nonlinear wave guiding and particle acceleration are also examined.

340 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The absorption of subpicosecond, obliquely incident laser light is studied using a 11/2D particle-in-cell code and is carried mainly by a superhot'' electron population with {ital U}{sub hot}{similar to}({ital I}{lambda}{sup 2}){sup 1/3--1/2}.
Abstract: The absorption of subpicosecond, obliquely incident laser light is studied using a 11/2D particle-in-cell code. Density scale lengths from L/\ensuremath{\lambda}=0.01 to 2 and laser irradiances between I${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}$=${10}^{14}$ and ${10}^{18}$ W ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ \ensuremath{\mu}${\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ are considered. ``Vacuum heating'' [F. Brunel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 52 (1987)] dominates over resonance absorption for scale lengths L/\ensuremath{\lambda}0.1, and is most efficient when ${\mathit{v}}_{\mathrm{osc}}$/c\ensuremath{\simeq}3.1(L/\ensuremath{\lambda}${)}^{2}$. Absorbed energy is carried mainly by a ``superhot'' electron population with ${\mathit{U}}_{\mathrm{hot}}$\ensuremath{\sim}(I${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}$${)}^{1/3--1/2}$.

289 citations

Book
05 Sep 2005
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a numerical simulation of Short Pulse Laser Interactions in Underdense Plasmas and Solids: overdense plasmas, and apply it to applications of Short-Pulse Laser Matter Interactions.
Abstract: # Introduction: Historical Background # Interaction with Single Atoms # Interaction with Single Electrons # Laser Propagation in Underdense Plasmas # Interaction with Solids: Overdense Plasmas # Numerical Simulation of Short Pulse Laser Interactions # Applications of Short-Pulse Laser-Matter Interactions

269 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of consequences of relativistic-strength optical fields are surveyed, including wakefield generation, a relativistically version of optical rectification, in which longitudinal field effects could be as large as the transverse ones.
Abstract: The advent of ultraintense laser pulses generated by the technique of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) along with the development of high-fluence laser materials has opened up an entirely new field of optics. The electromagnetic field intensities produced by these techniques, in excess of ${10}^{18}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, lead to relativistic electron motion in the laser field. The CPA method is reviewed and the future growth of laser technique is discussed, including the prospect of generating the ultimate power of a zettawatt. A number of consequences of relativistic-strength optical fields are surveyed. In contrast to the nonrelativistic regime, these laser fields are capable of moving matter more effectively, including motion in the direction of laser propagation. One of the consequences of this is wakefield generation, a relativistic version of optical rectification, in which longitudinal field effects could be as large as the transverse ones. In addition to this, other effects may occur, including relativistic focusing, relativistic transparency, nonlinear modulation and multiple harmonic generation, and strong coupling to matter and other fields (such as high-frequency radiation). A proper utilization of these phenomena and effects leads to the new technology of relativistic engineering, in which light-matter interactions in the relativistic regime drives the development of laser-driven accelerator science. A number of significant applications are reviewed, including the fast ignition of an inertially confined fusion target by short-pulsed laser energy and potential sources of energetic particles (electrons, protons, other ions, positrons, pions, etc.). The coupling of an intense laser field to matter also has implications for the study of the highest energies in astrophysics, such as ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, with energies in excess of ${10}^{20}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. The laser fields can be so intense as to make the accelerating field large enough for general relativistic effects (via the equivalence principle) to be examined in the laboratory. It will also enable one to access the nonlinear regime of quantum electrodynamics, where the effects of radiative damping are no longer negligible. Furthermore, when the fields are close to the Schwinger value, the vacuum can behave like a nonlinear medium in much the same way as ordinary dielectric matter expanded to laser radiation in the early days of laser research.

1,459 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent investigations on high-energy processes within the realm of relativistic quantum dynamics, quantum electrodynamics, and nuclear and particle physics, occurring in extremely intense laser fields is presented.
Abstract: The field of laser-matter interaction traditionally deals with the response of atoms, molecules, and plasmas to an external light wave. However, the recent sustained technological progress is opening up the possibility of employing intense laser radiation to trigger or substantially influence physical processes beyond atomic-physics energy scales. Available optical laser intensities exceeding ${10}^{22}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ can push the fundamental light-electron interaction to the extreme limit where radiation-reaction effects dominate the electron dynamics, can shed light on the structure of the quantum vacuum, and can trigger the creation of particles such as electrons, muons, and pions and their corresponding antiparticles. Also, novel sources of intense coherent high-energy photons and laser-based particle colliders can pave the way to nuclear quantum optics and may even allow for the potential discovery of new particles beyond the standard model. These are the main topics of this article, which is devoted to a review of recent investigations on high-energy processes within the realm of relativistic quantum dynamics, quantum electrodynamics, and nuclear and particle physics, occurring in extremely intense laser fields.

1,394 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, high-order harmonic generation is observed in a bulk crystalline solid with important implications for attosecond science, where the host medium for this interaction is typically a gas.
Abstract: High-order harmonic generation is a nonlinear optical process that enables the creation of light pulses at frequencies much higher than that from a seed laser. The host medium for this interaction is typically a gas. Now, the process has been observed in a bulk crystalline solid with important implications for attosecond science.

1,264 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of the state of the art of ion acceleration by laser pulses as well as an outlook on its future development and perspectives are given in this article. But the main features observed in the experiments, the observed scaling with laser and plasma parameters, and the main models used both to interpret experimental data and to suggest new research directions are described.
Abstract: Ion acceleration driven by superintense laser pulses is attracting an impressive and steadily increasing effort. Motivations can be found in the applicative potential and in the perspective to investigate novel regimes as available laser intensities will be increasing. Experiments have demonstrated, over a wide range of laser and target parameters, the generation of multi-MeV proton and ion beams with unique properties such as ultrashort duration, high brilliance, and low emittance. An overview is given of the state of the art of ion acceleration by laser pulses as well as an outlook on its future development and perspectives. The main features observed in the experiments, the observed scaling with laser and plasma parameters, and the main models used both to interpret experimental data and to suggest new research directions are described.

1,221 citations