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Using one-dimensional, long-timescale particle-in-cell simulations, we study the processes of ion acceleration from the interaction of ultraintense ( 10 20 W cm − 2 ), ultrashort (30 fs) laser pulses with near-critical, nonuniform gas targets. The considered initially neutral, nitrogen gas density profiles mimic those delivered by an already developed noncommercial supersonic gas shock nozzle: they have the generic shape of a narrow (20 μ m wide) peak superimposed on broad (∼1 mm, ∼ 180 μ m scale length), exponentially decreasing ramps. While keeping its shape constant, we vary its absolute density values to identify the interaction conditions leading to collisionless shock-induced ion acceleration in the gas density ramps. We find that collisionless electrostatic shocks (CES) form when the laser pulse is able to shine through the central density peak and deposit a few 10% of its energy into it. Under our conditions, this occurs for a peak electron density between 0.35 n c and 0.7 n c . Moreover, we show that the ability of the CES to reflect the upstream ions is highly sensitive to their charge state and that the laser-induced electron pressure gradients mainly account for shock generation, thus highlighting the benefit of using sharp gas profiles, such as those produced by shock nozzles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical and numerical analysis is carried out for turbulent collisionless shocks mediated by the ion-Weibel instability during high-velocity plasma collisions. We develop a simple model based on the coalescence dynamics of the ion current filaments, which predicts the spatio-temporal evolution of the magnetic fluctuations formed in the upstream plasma region. From comparison with particle-in-cell simulations, our model is shown to correctly capture the magnetic-field and ion-beam properties during the early-time shock propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a particle-in-cell simulation of the generation of a collisionless strong shock in a dense plasma driven by an ultra-intense, plane-wave laser pulse. A linear theory analysis, based on a multi-waterbag model of the particle distributions, highlights the role of the laser-heated electrons in triggering the Weibel-like instability causing shock formation. It is demonstrated that the returncurrent electrons play a major role in the instability development as well as in the determination of the saturated magnetic field. By contrast, the ions are found of minor importance in driving the instability and the magnetic field fluctuations responsible for their isotropization. Finally, we show that a Weibel-mediated shock can also be generated by a focused laser pulse of large enough spot size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a predictive model of the nonlinear phase of the Weibel instability induced by two symmetric, counter-streaming ion beams in the non-relativistic regime. This self-consistent model combines the quasilinear kinetic theory of Davidson et al. [Phys. Fluids 15, 317 (1972)] with a simple description of current filament coalescence. It allows us to follow the evolution of the ion parameters up to a stage close to complete isotropization, and is thus of prime interest to understand the dynamics of collisionless shock formation. Its predictions are supported by 2-D and 3-D particle-in-cell simulations of the ion Weibel instability. The derived approximate analytical solutions reveal the various dependencies of the ion relaxation to isotropy. In particular, it is found that the influence of the electron screening can affect the results of simulations using an unphysical electron mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collisionless shocks are ubiquitous in astrophysics and in the laboratory. Recent numerical simulations and experiments have shown how these can arise from the encounter of two collisionless plasma shells. When the shells interpenetrate, the overlapping region turns unstable, triggering the shock formation. As a first step toward a microscopic understanding of the process, we here analyze in detail the initial instability phase. On the one hand, 2D relativistic PIC simulations are performed where two unmagnetized, symmetric, and initially cold pair plasmas collide. On the other hand, the instabilities at work are analyzed, as well as the field at saturation and the seed field which gets amplified. For mildly relativistic motions and onward, Weibel modes with ω=0+iδ govern the linear phase. We derive an expression for the duration of the linear phase in reasonable agreement with the simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In many natural phenomena in space (cosmic-rays, fast winds), non-thermal ion populations are produced, with wave-particle interactions in self-induced electromagnetic turbulence being suspected to be mediators. However, the processes by which the electromagnetic energy is bestowed upon the particles is debated, and in some cases requires field compression. Here we show that laboratory experiments using high-power lasers and external strong magnetic field can be used to infer magnetic field compression in the interpenetration of two collisionless, high-velocity (0.01–0.1c) quasi-neutral plasma flows. This is evidenced through observed plasma stagnation at the flows collision point, which Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulations suggest to be the signature of magnetic field compression into a thin layer, followed by its dislocation into magnetic vortices. Acceleration of protons from the plasma collision is observed as well. As a possible scenario, with 1D and 2D PIC simulations we consider a compression of the vortices against dense plasma remnants. Ion production and acceleration is ubiquitous in astrophysical objects but many questions still remain on the mechanisms at play and while laboratory plasmas provide an "accessible" regime, non-thermal ion acceleration has not been observed in the laboratory before the advent of high-power lasers. The authors collide two relativistic plasma flows and observe large energy difference of the protons coming out of the interaction region with or without an external magnetic field, qualitatively corroborating their 1D and 2D particle-in-cell simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of collisionless shocks mediated by the ion Weibel instability is addressed theoretically and numerically in the nonrelativistic limit. First, the model developed in C. Ruyer et al., Phys. Plasmas 22, 032102 (2015) for the weakly nonlinear ion Weibel instability in a symmetric two-stream system is shown to be consistent with recent experimental and simulation results. Large-scale kinetic simulations are then performed to clarify the spatiotemporal evolution of the magnetic-field and plasma properties in the subsequent strongly nonlinear phase leading to shock formation. A simple analytical model is proposed which captures the simulation results up to a point close to ion isotropization. Electron screening effects are found important in the instability dynamics, so that numerical simulations using a nonphysical electron mass should be considered with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collisionless shocks are ubiquitous in astrophysics and in the lab. Recent numerical simulations and experiments have shown how they can arise from the encounter of two collisionless plasma shells. When the shells interpenetrate, the overlapping region turns unstable, triggering the shock formation. As a first step towards a microscopic understanding of the process, we analyze here in detail the initial instability phase. On the one hand, 2D relativistic Particle-In-Cell simulations are performed where two symmetric initially cold pair plasmas collide. On the other hand, the instabilities at work are analyzed, as well as the field at saturation and the seed field which gets amplified. For mildly relativistic motions and onward, Weibel modes govern the linear phase. We derive an expression for the duration of the linear phase in good agreement with the simulations. This saturation time constitutes indeed a lower-bound for the shock formation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]