Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils

The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2005-02, Vol.94 (4), p.045004.1-045004.4, Article 045004
Main Authors: FUCHS, J, SENTOKU, Y, CAMPBELL, E. M, FERNANDEZ, J. C, GAUTHIER, J.-C, GEISSEL, M, HEGELICH, M, PEPIN, H, POPESCU, H, RENARD-LEGALLOUDEC, N, ROTH, M, SCHREIBER, J, KARSCH, S, STEPHENS, R, COWAN, T. E, COBBLE, J, AUDEBERT, P, KEMP, A, NIKROO, A, ANTICI, P, BRAMBRINK, E, BLAZEVIC, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exact sciences and technology
Laser-plasma acceleration of electrons and ions
Laser-plasma interactions
Particle measurements
Particle-in-cell method
Physics
Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges
Physics of plasmas and electric discharges
Plasma diagnostic techniques and instrumentation
Plasma simulation
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Summary:The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclear activation techniques, we find that rear-surface acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency than front-surface acceleration. Our observations are well reproduced by realistic particle-in-cell simulations, and we predict optimal criteria for future applications.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.94.045004