Ion dynamics in laser-produced plasmas from mixed high-Z targets

Abstract

Studies on ion dynamics in laser-produced plasma from gold-copper mixed (alloy) target are presented in this paper. Interesting features on ion currents, ion velocity, and its scaling with laser energy and the angular distribution have been compared in the alloy Au0.43 + Cu0.57 (atomic composition) with pure gold and copper targets. A 2 J, 500 ps Nd:Glass laser has been used to produce the plasma. It has been observed that the peak ion current is almost 25% higher in alloy of Au-Cu as compared to pure copper and more than three times as compared to pure gold. Also, the ablated ions density is seen to be higher in the case of Au-Cu target.