Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Brenner, C. M.
• Robinson, A. P. L.
• Markey, K.
• Scott, R. H. H.
• Gray, R. J.
• Rosinski, M.
• Deppert, O.
• Badziak, J.
• Batani, D.
• Davies, J. R.
• Hassan, S. M.
• Lancaster, K. L.
• Li, K.
• Musgrave, I. O.
• Norreys, P. A.
• Pasley, J.
• Roth, M.
• Schlenvoigt, H.-P.
• Spindloe, C.
• Tatarakis, M.
• Winstone, T.
• Wolowski, J.
• Wyatt, D.
• McKenna, P.
• Neely, D.

Titel

High energy conversion efficiency in laser-proton acceleration by controlling laser-energy deposition onto thin foil targets

Ist Teil von

• Applied physics letters, 2014-02, Vol.104 (8)

Ort / Verlag

Melville: American Institute of Physics

Erscheinungsjahr

2014

Quelle

AIP Journals Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• An all-optical approach to laser-proton acceleration enhancement is investigated using the simplest of target designs to demonstrate application-relevant levels of energy conversion efficiency between laser and protons. Controlled deposition of laser energy, in the form of a double-pulse temporal envelope, is investigated in combination with thin foil targets in which recirculation of laser-accelerated electrons can lead to optimal conditions for coupling laser drive energy into the proton beam. This approach is shown to deliver a substantial enhancement in the coupling of laser energy to 5–30 MeV protons, compared to single pulse irradiation, reaching a record high 15% conversion efficiency with a temporal separation of 1 ps between the two pulses and a 5 μm-thick Au foil. A 1D simulation code is used to support and explain the origin of the observation of an optimum pulse separation of ∼1 ps.