Direct observation of prompt pre-thermal laser ion sheath acceleration

K. Zeil, J. Metzkes, T. Kluge, M. Bussmann, T.E. Cowan, S.D. Kraft, R. Sauerbrey and U. Schramm ()
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K. Zeil: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
J. Metzkes: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
T. Kluge: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
M. Bussmann: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
T.E. Cowan: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
S.D. Kraft: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
R. Sauerbrey: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)
U. Schramm: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract High-intensity laser plasma-based ion accelerators provide unsurpassed field gradients in the megavolt-per-micrometer range. They represent promising candidates for next-generation applications such as ion beam cancer therapy in compact facilities. The weak scaling of maximum ion energies with the square-root of the laser intensity, established for large sub-picosecond class laser systems, motivates the search for more efficient acceleration processes. Here we demonstrate that for ultrashort (pulse duration ~30 fs) highly relativistic (intensity ~1021 W cm−2) laser pulses, the intra-pulse phase of the proton acceleration process becomes relevant, yielding maximum energies of around 20 MeV. Prominent non-target-normal emission of energetic protons, reflecting an engineered asymmetry in the field distribution of promptly accelerated electrons, is used to identify this pre-thermal phase of the acceleration. The relevant timescale reveals the underlying physics leading to the near-linear intensity scaling observed for 100 TW class table-top laser systems.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1883

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