Prof. Paul McKenna Profile

Prof. Paul McKenna

at Univ of Strathclyde

SPIE Involvement:

Author | Editor

Proceedings Article | 18 April 2021 Presentation

Selective ion acceleration by intense radiation pressure

Aodhan McIlvenny, Domenico Doria, Lorenzo Romagnani, Hamad Ahmed, Nicola Booth, Emma Ditter, Oliver Ettlinger, George Hicks, Philip Martin, Graeme Scott, Samuel Williamson, Andrea Macchi, Paul McKenna, Zulfikar Najmudin, David Neely, Satya Kar, Marco Borghesi

Proceedings Volume 11779, 117790M (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589219

KEYWORDS: Ions, Plasma, Carbon, Pulsed laser operation, Polarization, Optical simulations, Mirrors, Picosecond phenomena, Photonic integrated circuits, Particles

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Proceedings Article | 18 April 2021 Presentation

High-order mode structure and spectral interferometry in ultrathin foils: underpinning physics of transparency-enhanced ion acceleration

Paul McKenna, Martin King, Matthew Duff, Robbie Wilson, Bruno Gonzalez-Izquierdo, Adam Higginson, Samuel D. Williamson, Zoë Davidson, Remi Capdessus, Nicola Booth, Steven Hawkes, David Neely, Ross Gray

Proceedings Volume 11779, 117790J (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589585

KEYWORDS: Ions, Interferometry, Polarization, Physics, Transparency, Optical testing, Superposition, Structured light, Particles, Optical simulations

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The spatio-temporal and polarisation properties of intense light is important in wide-ranging topics at the forefront of intense light-matter interactions, including laser-driven particle acceleration. In the context of experiments to optimize transparency-enhanced ion acceleration in expanding ultrathin foils, we investigate the polarisation and temporal properties of intense light measured at the rear of the target. An effective change in the angle of linear polarisation of the light results from a superposition of coherent radiation, generated by a directly accelerated bipolar electron distribution, and the light transmitted due to the onset of relativistic self-induced transparency. Simulations show that the generated light has a high-order transverse electromagnetic mode structure in both the first and second laser harmonics that can evolve on intra-pulse time-scales. The mode structure and polarisation state vary with the interaction parameters, opening up the possibility of developing this approach to achieve dynamic control of structured light fields at ultrahigh intensities [1]. We also report on frequency-resolved optical gating measurements of the light which demonstrate a novel and simple approach to diagnose the time during the interaction at which the foil becomes transparent to the laser light. This is a key parameter for optimising ion acceleration in expanding ultrathin foils. Coherent transition radiation produced at the foil rear interferes with laser light transmitted through the foil producing spectral fringes. The fringe spacing enables the relative timing of the onset of transmission with respect to the transition radiation generation to be determined. This self-referencing approach to spectral interferometry provides a route to optically controlling and optimising ion acceleration from ultrathin foils undergoing transparency [2]. [1] M.J. Duff et al., Scientific Reports 10, 105 (2020) [2] S.D.R. Williamson et al., Phys. Rev. Applied 14, 034018 (2020)

Proceedings Article | 18 April 2021 Presentation

Enhanced laser intensity and ion acceleration due to self-focusing in expanding ultrathin foils

Paul McKenna, Timothy Frazer, Robbie Wilson, Martin King, Nicholas Butler, David Carroll, Matthew Duff, Adam Higginson, Jonathan Jarrett, Zoe Davidson, Chris Armstrong, Hao Liu, David Neely, Ross Gray

Proceedings Volume 11779, 117790K (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589569

KEYWORDS: Ions, Ion lasers, Pulsed laser operation, Plasma, Transparency, Temperature metrology, Physics, Magnetism, Laser energy, High power lasers

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Proceedings Article | 24 April 2019 Paper

Application programmes at the Scottish Centre for the Application of Plasma-based Accelerators (SCAPA)

S. Wiggins, M. Boyd, E. Brunetti, N. M. Butler, J. Feehan, R. Gray, B. Hidding, D. Ireland, W. Li, A Maitrallain, G. Manahan, P. McKenna, D. O'Donnell, M. Scheck, M. Shahzad, Z.-M. Sheng, R. Spesyvtsev, G. Vieux, D. Watts, G. Welsh, R. Wilson, N. Zachariou, D. Jaroszynski

Proceedings Volume 11036, 110360T (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2520717

KEYWORDS: Plasma, Laser systems engineering, Laser applications, Physics, Pulsed laser operation, Electron beams, Particles, X-rays, Amplifiers, Gamma radiation

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2017 Presentation + Paper

Ion acceleration with radiation pressure in quantum electrodynamic regimes

Dario Del Sorbo, David Blackman, Remi Capdessus, Kristina Small, Cody Slade-Lowther, Wen Luo, Matthew Duff, Alexander P. Robinson, Paul McKenna, Zheng-Ming Sheng, John Pasley, Christopher Ridgers

Proceedings Volume 10241, 102411I (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2271137

KEYWORDS: Ions, Quantum electrodynamics, Laser-matter interactions, Optical simulations, Plasma, Electrons, Pulsed laser operation, Photons, Energy efficiency, Absorption, Electromagnetism, Gamma radiation

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2017 Paper

Modelling the effect of the radiation reaction force on the acceleration of ultra-thin foils

M. Duff, R. Capdessus, M. King, D. Del Sorbo, C. Ridgers, P. McKenna

Proceedings Volume 10241, 102410V (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2267424

KEYWORDS: Electrons, Synchrotron radiation, Pulsed laser operation, Photons, Solids, Reflection, Synchrotrons, Radiation effects, Plasma, Absorption, Physics, Modeling, Electromagnetism, Gaussian pulse, Aluminum, Ion lasers

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Proceedings Article | 25 October 2016 Open Access

Pulsed x-ray imaging of high-density objects using a ten picosecond high-intensity laser driver

D. Rusby, C. Brenner, C. Armstrong, L. Wilson, R. Clarke, A. Alejo, H. Ahmed, N. M. Butler, D. Haddock, A. Higginson, A. McClymont, S. R. Mirfayzi, C. Murphy, M. Notley, P. Oliver, R. Allott, C. Hernandez-Gomez, S. Kar, P. McKenna, D. Neely

Proceedings Volume 9992, 99920E (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2241776

KEYWORDS: Electrons, X-rays, Pulsed laser operation, X-ray imaging, Scintillators, Radiography, Imaging arrays, Spectrometers, Modulation transfer functions, X-ray sources

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Proceedings Article | 6 October 2011 Paper

Coherent x-ray generation in relativistic laser/gas jet interactions

A. Pirozhkov, M. Kando, T. Zh. Esirkepov, P. Gallegos, H. Ahmed, E. Ragozin, A. Ya. Faenov, T. Pikuz, J. Koga, H. Kiriyama, P. McKenna, M. Borghesi, K. Kondo, H. Daido, Y. Kato, D. Neely, S. Bulanov

Proceedings Volume 8140, 81400A (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892898

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Pulsed laser operation, Charge-coupled devices, X-rays, Plasma, Reflectivity, Spectrographs, Extreme ultraviolet, Polarization, Diffraction

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Proceedings Article | 26 May 2011 Paper

Ion source development and radiobiology applications within the LIBRA project

M. Borghesi, S. Kar, R. Prasad, F. K. Kakolee, K. Quinn, H. Ahmed, G. Sarri, B. Ramakrishna, B. Qiao, M. Geissler, S. Ter-Avetisyan, M. Zepf, G. Schettino, B. Stevens, M. Tolley, A. Ward, J. Green, P. Foster, C. Spindloe, P. Gallegos, A.. Robinson, D. Neely, D. Carroll, O. Tresca, X. Yuan, M. Quinn, P. McKenna, N. Dover, C. Palmer, J. Schreiber, Z. Najmudin, I. Sari, M. Kraft, M. Merchant, J. C. Jeynes, K. Kirkby, F. Fiorini, D. Kirby, S. Green

Proceedings Volume 8079, 80791E (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888262

KEYWORDS: Ions, Laser applications, Ion lasers, Laser development, Electrons, Fusion energy, Ion beams, Particles, Cancer, Carbon

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Proceedings Article | 26 May 2011 Paper

Scintillator-based ion beam profiler for diagnosing laser-accelerated ion beams

J. Green, M. Borghesi, C. Brenner, D. Carroll, N. Dover, P. Foster, P. Gallegos, S. Green, D. Kirby, K. J. Kirkby, P. McKenna, M. Merchant, Z. Najmudin, C. A. Palmer, D. Parker, R. Prasad, K. Quinn, P. P. Rajeev, M. Read, L. Romagnani, J. Schreiber, M. Streeter, O. Tresca, C.-G. Wahlström, M. Zepf, David Neely

Proceedings Volume 8079, 807919 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888967

KEYWORDS: Scintillators, Ions, Ion beams, Diagnostics, Charge-coupled devices, Pulsed laser operation, Ion lasers, Sensors, Physics, Ionizing radiation

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Showing 5 of 10 publications

SPIE Conference Volume | 10 July 2017

Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles IV: Review of Progress and Strategies for the Future

SPIE Conference Volume | 4 June 2015

Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions III; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles III

SPIE Conference Volume | 22 May 2013

Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions II; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles II; and Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves III

SPIE Conference Volume | 5 May 2011

Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles

Conference Committee Involvement (7)

Applying Laser-driven Particle Acceleration III: Uses of Distinctive Energetic Particle and Photon Sources

24 April 2023 | Prague, Czech Republic

Applying Laser-driven Particle Acceleration II, Medical and Nonmedical Uses of Distinctive Energetic Particle and Photon Sources: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics Industry Event

19 April 2021 | Online Only, Czech Republic

Applying Laser-driven Particle Acceleration Workshop: Using Distinctive Energetic Particle and Photon Sources

2 April 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic

Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles: Review of Progress and Strategies for the Future

24 April 2017 | Prague, Czech Republic

Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Beams of Particles: Review of Progress and Strategies for the Future

13 April 2015 | Prague, Czech Republic

Showing 5 of 7 Conference Committees

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