Coaction of strong electrical fields in laser irradiated thin foils and its relation to field dynamics at the plasma-vacuum interface

Abstract

The effective action of strong electrical fields on a beam of protons passing through a laser irradiated thin foil has been investigated. The energy distribution function of protons propagating along the surface normal changes in a pronounced way, exhibiting a gap in the spectrum accompanied by up to two local maxima. The temporal behavior is set into context with expectations derived from the evolution of strong electrical fields at the plasma-vacuum interface, usually being considered responsible for fast ion acceleration during the initial stage of laser driven plasma expansion. Our investigation reveals complex field effects in thin foils when irradiated with intense and ultra-short pulses with a very high temporal contrast. The experiments were performed with a laser accelerated proton beam, the probe, traversing a “plasma slab” created by ultra-short ( 80fs), high-intensity (~ 1 × 1019 W/cm2) laser irradiation of a 30 nm to 800 nm thick foil. Laser pulses with different temporal contrast and pulse duration have been used, both for the probe and for the plasma slab creation (the pump). An analytical model is discussed to approach an understanding of the observation.