Abstract
Ion acceleration driven by high intensity laser pulses is attracting an impressive and steadily increasing research effort. Experiments over the past 10–15 years have demonstrated, over a wide range of laser and target parameters, the generation of multi-MeV proton and ion beams with unique properties, which have stimulated interest in a number of innovative applications. While most of this work has been based on sheath acceleration processes, where space-charge fields are established by relativistic electrons at surfaces of the irradiated target, a number of novel mechanisms has been the focus of recent theoretical and experimental activities. This paper will provide a brief review of the state of the art in the field of laser-driven ion acceleration, with particular attention to recent developments.
Highlights
The first experiments reporting laser acceleration of protons with beam-like properties and multi-MeV energies in laser experiments were reported in 2000 [1,2,3]
While most of this work has been based on sheath acceleration processes, where space-charge fields are established by relativistic electrons at surfaces of the irradiated target, a number of novel mechanisms has been the focus of recent theoretical and experimental activities
This paper will provide a brief review of the state of the art in the field of laser-driven ion acceleration, with particular attention to recent developments
Summary
The first experiments reporting laser acceleration of protons with beam-like properties and multi-MeV energies in laser experiments were reported in 2000 [1,2,3]. Experiments over the following 13 years have demonstrated, over a wide range of laser and target parameters, the generation of multi-MeV proton and ion beams with unique properties such as ultrashort burst emission, high brilliance, and low emittance, which have in turn stimulated ideas for a range of innovative applications. While most of this work has been based on sheath acceleration processes [3,4,5], a number of novel mechanisms have been at the center of recent theoretical and experimental activities. This paper will provide a brief review of the state of the art and recent developments in the field. A more extensive survey is provided in [6,7,8]
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