Characterization of high-intensity laser propagation in the relativistic transparent regime through measurements of energetic proton beams

Experiments were performed to investigate the propagation of a high intensity (I approximately 10(21) W cm(-2)) laser in foam targets with densities ranging from 0.9n(c) to 30n(c). Proton acceleration was used to diagnose the interaction. An improvement in proton beam energy and efficiency is observ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2009-03, Vol.102 (12), p.125002-125002, Article 125002
Main Authors: Willingale, L, Nagel, S R, Thomas, A G R, Bellei, C, Clarke, R J, Dangor, A E, Heathcote, R, Kaluza, M C, Kamperidis, C, Kneip, S, Krushelnick, K, Lopes, N, Mangles, S P D, Nazarov, W, Nilson, P M, Najmudin, Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACCELERATION
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
LASERS
PROTON BEAMS
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SIMULATION
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Summary:Experiments were performed to investigate the propagation of a high intensity (I approximately 10(21) W cm(-2)) laser in foam targets with densities ranging from 0.9n(c) to 30n(c). Proton acceleration was used to diagnose the interaction. An improvement in proton beam energy and efficiency is observed for the lowest density foam (n(e)=0.9n(c)), compared to higher density foams. Simulations show that the laser beam penetrates deeper into the target due to its relativistic propagation and results in greater collimation of the ensuing hot electrons. This results in the rear surface accelerating electric field being larger, increasing the efficiency of the acceleration. Enhanced collimation of the ions is seen to be due to the self-generated azimuthal magnetic and electric fields at the rear of the target.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.102.125002