Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV

Abstract The warm dense matter (WDM) is an exotic state of matter encountered in inertial confinement implosions for fusion energy, as well as the interiors of giant planets like Jupiter, brown dwarfs, the atmospheres of white dwarfs, neutron star crusts, and newly discovered exo-planets. One effici...

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Main Authors: M. Bailly-Grandvaux, S. Bolaños, J. Kim, J. Saret, C. McGuffey, K. Bhutwala, P. M. Nilson, T. Filkins, W. Theobald, A. Haid, S. Ivancic, F. N. Beg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Physics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02206-x
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author M. Bailly-Grandvaux
S. Bolaños
J. Kim
J. Saret
C. McGuffey
K. Bhutwala
P. M. Nilson
T. Filkins
W. Theobald
A. Haid
S. Ivancic
F. N. Beg
author_facet M. Bailly-Grandvaux
S. Bolaños
J. Kim
J. Saret
C. McGuffey
K. Bhutwala
P. M. Nilson
T. Filkins
W. Theobald
A. Haid
S. Ivancic
F. N. Beg
author_sort M. Bailly-Grandvaux
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The warm dense matter (WDM) is an exotic state of matter encountered in inertial confinement implosions for fusion energy, as well as the interiors of giant planets like Jupiter, brown dwarfs, the atmospheres of white dwarfs, neutron star crusts, and newly discovered exo-planets. One efficient way to create WDM is to use protons accelerated by a high-intensity short-pulse laser to isochorically heat dense samples to WDM states. Despite its importance, direct temperature measurements within WDM targets are scarce. This study utilizes an intense proton beam generated by the kilojoule EP laser further focused and guided by a curved foil and cone structure to efficiently heat a thin copper sample. A high-resolution streaked spectrometer tuned to copper K α fluorescence lines provided bulk temperature measurements every  ~2 ps, revealing temperatures exceeding 100 eV in under 50 ps. Particle-in-cell simulations of proton transport and energy deposition closely matched the observed heating dynamics, including transverse temperature gradients revealed by the broadening of K α lines.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2399-3650
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Communications Physics
spelling doaj-art-3a7ce97a6a6c47f78fdae1eafe489e8a2025-08-20T04:02:57ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Physics2399-36502025-07-018111110.1038/s42005-025-02206-xCreation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eVM. Bailly-Grandvaux0S. Bolaños1J. Kim2J. Saret3C. McGuffey4K. Bhutwala5P. M. Nilson6T. Filkins7W. Theobald8A. Haid9S. Ivancic10F. N. Beg11Center for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoCenter for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoCenter for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoCenter for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoGeneral AtomicsCenter for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoLaboratory for Laser EnergeticsLaboratory for Laser EnergeticsLaboratory for Laser EnergeticsGeneral AtomicsLaboratory for Laser EnergeticsCenter for Energy Research, University of California, San DiegoAbstract The warm dense matter (WDM) is an exotic state of matter encountered in inertial confinement implosions for fusion energy, as well as the interiors of giant planets like Jupiter, brown dwarfs, the atmospheres of white dwarfs, neutron star crusts, and newly discovered exo-planets. One efficient way to create WDM is to use protons accelerated by a high-intensity short-pulse laser to isochorically heat dense samples to WDM states. Despite its importance, direct temperature measurements within WDM targets are scarce. This study utilizes an intense proton beam generated by the kilojoule EP laser further focused and guided by a curved foil and cone structure to efficiently heat a thin copper sample. A high-resolution streaked spectrometer tuned to copper K α fluorescence lines provided bulk temperature measurements every  ~2 ps, revealing temperatures exceeding 100 eV in under 50 ps. Particle-in-cell simulations of proton transport and energy deposition closely matched the observed heating dynamics, including transverse temperature gradients revealed by the broadening of K α lines.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02206-x
spellingShingle M. Bailly-Grandvaux
S. Bolaños
J. Kim
J. Saret
C. McGuffey
K. Bhutwala
P. M. Nilson
T. Filkins
W. Theobald
A. Haid
S. Ivancic
F. N. Beg
Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
Communications Physics
title Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
title_full Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
title_fullStr Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
title_full_unstemmed Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
title_short Creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser-driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 eV
title_sort creation and characterization of warm dense matter isochorically heated by an intense laser driven proton beam to temperatures exceeding 100 ev
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02206-x
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