Proton beams from intense laser-solid interaction: Effects of the target materials

Y X Geng,X H Xu,Y Y Zhao,J E Chen,X Q Yan,C Lin,Q Liao,D Wu,X T He,W J Ma,Z M Sheng,S Fritzsche,M J Wu,H Y Lu,W Yu,D Y Li

doi:10.1063/5.0014854

Y X Geng, X H Xu + Show 14 more

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https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0014854

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We report systematic studies of laser-driven proton beams produced with micrometer-thick solid targets made of aluminum and plastic, respectively. Distinct effects of the target materials are found on the total charge, cutoff energy, and beam spot of protons in the experiments, and these are described well by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations incorporating intrinsic material properties. It is found that with a laser intensity of 8 × 1019 W/cm2, target normal sheath acceleration is the dominant mechanism for both types of target. For a plastic target, the higher charge and cutoff energy of the protons are due to the greater energy coupling efficiencies from the intense laser beams, and the larger divergence angle of the protons is due to the deflection of hot electrons during transport in the targets. We also find that the energy loss of hot electrons in targets of different thickness has a significant effect on the proton cutoff energy. The consistent results obtained here further narrow the gap between simulations and experiments.

Highlights

Previous research has been successful in explaining some aspects of the proton acceleration, such as why a proton beam from a plastic target has either higher energy or a nonuniform spot
Distinct effects of the target materials are found on the total charge, cutoff energy, and beam spot of protons in the experiments, and these are described well by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations incorporating intrinsic material properties
The higher charge and cutoff energy of the protons are due to the greater energy coupling efficiencies from the intense laser beams, and the larger divergence angle of the protons is due to the deflection of hot electrons during transport in the targets

Summary

Introduction

Previous research has been successful in explaining some aspects of the proton acceleration, such as why a proton beam from a plastic target has either higher energy or a nonuniform spot. The higher charge and cutoff energy of the protons are due to the greater energy coupling efficiencies from the intense laser beams, and the larger divergence angle of the protons is due to the deflection of hot electrons during transport in the targets.

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