Spectral properties of laser-accelerated mid-Z MeV∕u ion beams

Collimated jets of beryllium, carbon, oxygen, fluorine, and palladium ions with >1MeV∕nucleon energies are observed from the rear surface of thin foils irradiated with laser intensities of up to 5×1019W∕cm2. The normally dominant proton acceleration is suppressed when the target is subjected to Joule heating to remove hydrogen-bearing contaminant. This inhibits screening effects and permits effective energy transfer to and acceleration of heavier ion species. The influence of remnant protons on the spectral shape of the next highest charge-to-mass ratio species is shown. Particle-in-cell simulations confirming the experimental findings are presented.

[1]  A Nikroo,et al.  Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils. , 2005, Physical review letters.

[2]  S Meyroneinc,et al.  Ultralow emittance, multi-MeV proton beams from a laser virtual-cathode plasma accelerator. , 2004, Physical review letters.

[3]  J. Fuchs,et al.  The generation of micro-fiducials in laser-accelerated proton flows, their imaging property of surface structures and application for the characterization of the flow , 2004 .

[4]  S. Wilks,et al.  Direct experimental evidence of back-surface ion acceleration from laser-irradiated gold foils. , 2004, Physical review letters.

[5]  T E Cowan,et al.  Isochoric heating of solid-density matter with an ultrafast proton beam. , 2003, Physical review letters.

[6]  Julien Fuchs,et al.  Proton spectra from ultraintense laser-plasma interaction with thin foils: Experiments, theory, and simulation , 2003 .

[7]  M. Geissel,et al.  The generation of high-quality, intense ion beams by ultra-intense lasers , 2002 .

[8]  S. V. Bulanov,et al.  Proposed double-layer target for the generation of high-quality laser-accelerated ion beams. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[9]  K. Witte,et al.  MeV ion jets from short-pulse-laser interaction with thin foils. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[10]  Patrick Audebert,et al.  Energetic ions generated by laser pulses: A detailed study on target properties , 2002 .

[11]  C Andersen,et al.  Enhancement of proton acceleration by hot-electron recirculation in thin foils irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[12]  T. C. Sangster,et al.  Intense high-energy proton beams from Petawatt-laser irradiation of solids. , 2000, Physical review letters.

[13]  Gu,et al.  Forward ion acceleration in thin films driven by a high-intensity laser , 2000, Physical review letters.

[14]  Michael D. Perry,et al.  Electron, photon, and ion beams from the relativistic interaction of Petawatt laser pulses with solid targets , 2000 .

[15]  Deanna M. Pennington,et al.  Energetic proton generation in ultra-intense laser–solid interactions , 2000 .

[16]  G. Mourou,et al.  Superstrong Fields in Plasmas , 2002 .

[17]  R. D. Ramsier,et al.  A sensitive method for measuring adsorbed carbon on palladium surfaces: Titration by NO , 1995 .

[18]  W. Heinrich,et al.  The Siegen automatic measuring system for track detectors: New developments , 1991 .

[19]  R. Kristal,et al.  Fast ions and hot electrons in the laser–plasma interaction , 1986 .

[20]  Jeremiah Brackbill,et al.  Magnetic-field--induced surface transport on laser-irradiated foils , 1982 .

[21]  J. C. Hamilton,et al.  Carbon segregation to single crystal surfaces of Pt, Pd and Co , 1980 .

[22]  M. Richardson,et al.  Quantitative measurements of fast ions from CO2 laser‐produced plasmas , 1979 .

[23]  B. Ripin,et al.  High-Energy Ion Expansion in Laser-Plasma Interactions. , 1978 .

[24]  S. J. Thomson,et al.  XXVI. Rays of positive electricity , 1907 .