Generation of ultraintense proton beams by multi-ps circularly polarized laser pulses for fast ignition-related applications

• A scheme of generation of ultraintense proton beams relevant for proton fast ignition (PFI) which employs multi-ps, circularly polarized laser pulse irradiating a thick (≥ 10 μm) H-rich target is proposed and examined using one-dimensional particle-in cell-simulations. It is shown that a 5-ps laser pulse of intensity ∼ (2–5) × 1020W/cm2 irradiating the target of the areal proton density ∼ 2 × 1020cm−2 can produce – with a high energetic efficiency – a proton beam (plasma block) of parameters (intensity, energy fluence, pulse duration, proton energy spectrum) close to those required for PFI. At a fixed total laser energy, the proton beam parameters can be controlled and fitted to the PFI requirements by changing the laser intensity (energy fluence) and/or the target thickness as well as by using a shaped (curved) target inserted into a guiding cone.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)