Dynamics of ultrathin laser targets with optimal parameters

Abstract

The set of equations describing the motion of a thin (compared to the wavelength) target in the field of a laser pulse that takes into consideration separate motion of the electron and ion layers is derived. In the case of strong Coulomb coupling between the layers, the set of equation of motions of the layers is reduced to the well-known light-sail equation containing a self-consistent coefficient of nonlinear reflection of laser radiation by a moving target. The optimal thickness of the laser target at which the target acquires maximum energy for given laser-pulse parameters is determined. It is shown that this thickness depends not only on laser intensity, but also on laser-pulse duration and the ratio of electron and ion masses. The growth rates of transverse instability of optimal targets under their intense acceleration are analyzed. It is demonstrated that instability does not develop in the currently experimentally accessible range of laser intensities and pulse durations between 100 and 200 fs.