Relativistic electron beam transport through cold and shock-heated vitreous and diamond carbon samples*

Most short pulse laser-matter interaction experiments studying relativistic electron beam (REB) transport are performed with initially cold targets where the resistivity is far from that in warm dense matter (WDM). However, many high-energy-density (HED) applications, such as fast heating for advanced ICF schemes, rely upon REB transport in the WDM regime. We will present Hybrid PIC simulations using advanced resistivity models in the WDM conditions that are able to reproduce the REB transport measurements performed on the OMEGA EP for a set of cold and shock-heated carbon samples. The REB energy distribution and transport were diagnosed using an electron spectrometer and x-ray fluorescence measurements from a Cu tracer buried at the rear side of the sample. We will show that the resistivity response of the media, which governs the self-generated resistive fields, is of paramount importance to understand and correctly predict the REB transport. HED modeling has been hindered by limited understanding of the WDM regime, but our benchmark REB modeling offers some insight into this highly applicable regime.