Victor Yanovsky

Bio: Victor Yanovsky is an academic researcher from University of Michigan. The author has contributed to research in topics: Laser & Electron. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 103 publications receiving 6630 citations. Previous affiliations of Victor Yanovsky include Cornell University & Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Nuclear fusion from explosions of femtosecond laser-heated deuterium clusters

Abstract: As a form of matter intermediate between molecules and bulk solids, atomic clusters have been much studied1 Light-induced processes in clusters can lead to photo-fragmentation2,3 and Coulombic fission4, producing atom and ion fragments with a few electronvolts (eV) of energy However, recent studies of thephotoionization of atomic clusters with high intensity (>1016 W cm−2) femtosecond laser pulses have shown that these interactions can be far more energetic5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13—excitation of large atomic clusters can produce a superheated microplasma that ejects ions with kinetic energies up to 1 MeV (ref 10) This phenomenon suggests that through irradiation of deuterium clusters, it would be possible to create plasmas with sufficient average ion energy for substantial nuclear fusion Here we report the observation of nuclear fusion from the explosions of deuterium clusters heated with a compact, high-repetition-rate table-top laser We achieve an efficiency of about 105 fusion neutrons per joule of incident laser energy, which approaches the efficiency of large-scale laser-driven fusion experiments Our results should facilitate a range of fusion experiments using small-scale lasers, and may ultimately lead to the development of a table-top neutron source, which could potentially find wide application in materials studies

Ultra-high intensity- 300-TW laser at 0.1 Hz repetition rate.

Abstract: We demonstrate the highest intensity - 300 TW laser by developing booster amplifying stage to the 50-TW-Ti:sapphire laser (HERCULES). To our knowledge this is the first multi-100TW-scale laser at 0.1 Hz repetition rate.

Ultrashort-pulse laser machining of dielectric materials

Abstract: There is a strong deviation from the usual τ1/2 scaling of laser damage fluence for pulses below 10 ps in dielectric materials. This behavior is a result of the transition from a thermally dominated damage mechanism to one dominated by plasma formation on a time scale too short for significant energy transfer to the lattice. This new mechanism of damage (material removal) is accompanied by a qualitative change in the morphology of the interaction site and essentially no collateral damage. High precision machining of all dielectrics (oxides, fluorides, explosives, teeth, glasses, ceramics, SiC, etc.) with no thermal shock or distortion of the remaining material by this mechanism is described.

Petawatt laser pulses.

Abstract: We have developed a hybrid Ti:sapphire–Nd:glass laser system that produces more than 1500??TW (1.5??PW) of peak power. The system produces 660??J of power in a compressed 440±20 fs pulse by use of 94-cm master diffraction gratings. Focusing to an irradiance of >7×1020 W/cm2 is achieved by use of a Cassegrainian focusing system employing a plasma mirror.

Bright spatially coherent synchrotron X-rays from a table-top source

Abstract: Betratron oscillations of electrons driven through a plasma by a high-intensity laser generate coherent X-rays. A new study demonstrates the intensity of these X-rays can be as bright as that generated by conventional third-generation synchrotrons, in a device a fraction of the size and cost.

Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber

Abstract: A topical review of numerical and experimental studies of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber is presented over the full range of experimentally reported parameters, from the femtosecond to the continuous-wave regime. Results from numerical simulations are used to discuss the temporal and spectral characteristics of the supercontinuum, and to interpret the physics of the underlying spectral broadening processes. Particular attention is given to the case of supercontinuum generation seeded by femtosecond pulses in the anomalous group velocity dispersion regime of photonic crystal fiber, where the processes of soliton fission, stimulated Raman scattering, and dispersive wave generation are reviewed in detail. The corresponding intensity and phase stability properties of the supercontinuum spectra generated under different conditions are also discussed.

Intense few-cycle laser fields: Frontiers of nonlinear optics

Abstract: The rise time of intense radiation determines the maximum field strength atoms can be exposed to before their polarizability dramatically drops due to the detachment of an outer electron. Recent progress in ultrafast optics has allowed the generation of ultraintense light pulses comprising merely a few field oscillation cycles. The arising intensity gradient allows electrons to survive in their bound atomic state up to external field strengths many times higher than the binding Coulomb field and gives rise to ionization rates comparable to the light frequency, resulting in a significant extension of the frontiers of nonlinear optics and (nonrelativistic) high-field physics. Implications include the generation of coherent harmonic radiation up to kiloelectronvolt photon energies and control of the atomic dipole moment on a subfemtosecond $(1{\mathrm{f}\mathrm{s}=10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}\mathrm{}\mathrm{s})$ time scale. This review presents the landmarks of the 30-odd-year evolution of ultrashort-pulse laser physics and technology culminating in the generation of intense few-cycle light pulses and discusses the impact of these pulses on high-field physics. Particular emphasis is placed on high-order harmonic emission and single subfemtosecond extreme ultraviolet/x-ray pulse generation. These as well as other strong-field processes are governed directly by the electric-field evolution, and hence their full control requires access to the (absolute) phase of the light carrier. We shall discuss routes to its determination and control, which will, for the first time, allow access to the electromagnetic fields in light waves and control of high-field interactions with never-before-achieved precision.

Attosecond Physics

Abstract: Summary form only given. Fundamental processes in atoms, molecules, as well as condensed matter are triggered or mediated by the motion of electrons inside or between atoms. Electronic dynamics on atomic length scales tends to unfold within tens to thousands of attoseconds (1 attosecond [as] = 10-18 s). Recent breakthroughs in laser science are now opening the door to watching and controlling these hitherto inaccessible microscopic dynamics. The key to accessing the attosecond time domain is the control of the electric field of (visible) light, which varies its strength and direction within less than a femtosecond (1 femtosecond = 1000 attoseconds). Atoms exposed to a few oscillations cycles of intense laser light are able to emit a single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) burst lasting less than one femtosecond. Full control of the evolution of the electromagnetic field in laser pulses comprising a few wave cycles have recently allowed the reproducible generation and measurement of isolated sub-femtosecond XUV pulses, demonstrating the control of microscopic processes (electron motion and photon emission) on an attosecond time scale. These tools have enabled us to visualize the oscillating electric field of visible light with an attosecond "oscilloscope", to control single-electron and probe multi-electron dynamics in atoms, molecules and solids. Recent experiments hold promise for the development of an attosecond X-ray source, which may pave the way towards 4D electron imaging with sub-atomic resolution in space and time.

Laser Material Processing

Abstract: In the laser treatment of a workpiece (9), e.g. for surface hardening, melting, alloying, cladding, welding or cutting, the adverse effect of reflectivity of the surface, when a pure, monochromatic laser (6) is used, is remedied by the simultaneous application of a relatively shorter wavelength beam (1). The two beams (1)(5) may be combined by a beam coupler (4) or may reach the workpiece (9) by separate optical paths (not shown). The shorter wavelength beam (1) improves the coupling efficiency of the higher- powered laser beam (5).

Energetic proton generation in ultra-intense laser–solid interactions

Abstract: An explanation for the energetic ions observed in the PetaWatt experiments is presented. In solid target experiments with focused intensities exceeding 1020 W/cm2, high-energy electron generation, hard bremsstrahlung, and energetic protons have been observed on the backside of the target. In this report, an attempt is made to explain the physical process present that will explain the presence of these energetic protons, as well as explain the number, energy, and angular spread of the protons observed in experiment. In particular, we hypothesize that hot electrons produced on the front of the target are sent through to the back off the target, where they ionize the hydrogen layer there. These ions are then accelerated by the hot electron cloud, to tens of MeV energies in distances of order tens of μm, whereupon they end up being detected in the radiographic and spectrographic detectors.