Project Goals

Relativistic plasma dynamics and light-matter interaction in ultra-strong electromagnetic fields

The main objective of the High Field Laser Application Laboratory is ensuring the international scientific competitiveness of MBI research in high field laser physics, particularly relativistic plasma dynamics and light-matter interaction in ultra-strong electromagnetic fields. In addition, it serves as an application laboratory for external users.
The objectives are met by combining the results of MBI research on high-power lasers (projects 1.2 and 4.2) with state-of-the-art commercial lasers in a dedicated laboratory environment, including highly specialized instrumentation and building infrastructure. The present laser equipment, based on two parallel, optically synchronized Ti:Sa laser systems with intensities in excess of 10E19W/cm2 and 25 and 40 fs pulse duration, respectively, excels by its pulse contrast capability, allowing e.g. the investigation of novel laser particle acceleration schemes. Future directions will include electron acceleration by lasers for which a new radiation shielded laboratory has been constructed. According to the mission of the MBI these facilities are not only used for the in-house research (mainly projects 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.3), but also offered to external users who are interested in research collaborations with MBI groups. The laboratory plays a significant role in MBI´s TRANSREGIO 18 collaborations and within the Integrated Laser Infrastructure Network LASERLAB-EUROPE

View of the 40 TW - 100 TW dual beam laser system

Topics

• 40 TW Ti:Sapphire laser system
• 100 TW Ti:Saphire laser system

Key Publications (please cf. to project pages)

Instrumentation
• XPW frontend for ultra-high contrast and synchronized operation of both laser arms
• SPIDER for measurement of of the Ti:Sapphire laser pulse duration
• adaptive mirror- feedback with wavefront controlling Hartmann sensor in two beamlines
• different beamlines for particle acceleration, X/EUV - generation, ionization studies, new setups will be continued in 2012
• a new lab with shielding enclosure for experiments with high energy particles and/or high dose of secondary radiation
• 3rd order correlator for the Ti:Sapphire laser with high dynamics range
• plasma mirror in 40 TW beamline, plasma mirror for 100 TW beamline under construction
  

Highlights

• Negative ions from a laser accelerator (LASERLAB-EUROPE Access 2011/12)