Generation of high-energy-density ion bunches by ultraintense laser-cone-target interaction

A scheme in which carbon ion bunches are accelerated to a high energy and density by a laser pulse (similar to 10(21) W/cm(2)) irradiating cone targets is proposed and investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. The laser pulse is focused by the cone and drives forward an ultrathin foil located at the cone's tip. In the course of the work, best results were obtained employing target configurations combining a low-Z cone with a multispecies foil transversely shaped to match the laser intensity profile. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC

Generation of hemispherical fast electron waves in the presence of preplasma in ultraintense laser-matter interaction

AbstractHemispherical electron plasma waves generated from ultraintense laser interacting with a solid target having a subcritical preplasma is studied using particle-in-cell simulation. As the laser pulse propagates inside the preplasma, it becomes self-focused due to the response of the plasma electrons to the ponderomotive force. The electrons are mainly heated via betatron resonance absorption and their thermal energy can become higher than the ponderomotive energy. The hot electrons easily penetrate through the thin solid target and appear behind it as periodic hemispherical shell-like layers separated by the laser wavelength.</jats:p