Efficiency improvement of the femtosecond laser source of superponderomotive electrons and X-ray radiation due to the use of near-critical density targets

We consider the possibility of improving the superhighpower laser pulse to superponderomotive electrons energy conversion efficiency by using porous targets of near-critical density. We report the results of numerical simulations based on the typical parameters of laser pulses of the PEARL laser facility built on the principles of parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). An original scheme for producing a controllable prepulse based on the use of a pump laser switched to a two-pulse regime is discussed. The prepulse is required to homogenise the submicron inhomogeneities of a porous target. Simulations show a significant increase in the laser-to-electron energy conversion efficiency in comparison with solid-state and gas targets. This interaction regime can be used to improve the efficiency of a broad class of laser-driven secondary radiation sources, such as a betatron source, bremsstrahlung, neutron source, etc.