Experimental investigation of the magnetic vortex acceleration regime*

Magnetic Vortex Acceleration (MVA), an advanced ion acceleration mechanism, requires an ultra-high intensity and contrast laser pulse combined with a near-critical density target that is matched to the laser parameters. Theoretically, these conditions result in high energy, well-collimated ion beams, directional electron beams, and gamma-ray generation. A series of 3D particle-in-cell simulations were performed to aid with experimental preparation and to study the electromagnetic field evolution and the properties of accelerated beams under realistic experimental conditions. We report on simulation and experimental results, investigating this regime using the newly commissioned high intensity beamline at the BELLA Center, iP2. The acceleration mechanism is studied with a diverse set of diagnostics monitoring the properties of the generated ions, electrons, x-rays and gamma-rays as well as the transmitted and reflected laser light.