Laser contrast and other key parameters enhancing the laser conversion efficiency in ion acceleration regime

Abstract

Abstract. Measurements of ion acceleration in plasma produced by fs lasers at intensity of the order of 10 18 W/cm 2 have been performed in different European laboratories. The forward emission in targetnormal-sheath-acceleration (TNSA) regime indicated that the maximum energy is a function of the laser parameters, of the irradiation conditions and of the target properties.In particular the laser intensity and contrast play an important role to maximize the ion acceleration enhancing the conversion efficiency. Also the use of suitable prepulses, focal distances and polarized laser light has important roles. Finally the target composition, surface, geometry and multilayered structure, permit to enhance the electric field driving the forward ion acceleration.Experimental measurements will be reported and discussed.

Target normal sheath ion acceleration by fs laser irradiating metal/reduced graphene oxide targets

“…Of course, the maximum proton energy can be further improved, for example, acting on three important parameters to be further investigated. The first is the thickness of the used rGO, which was fixed to 7 microns in this experiment, but, as reported in the literature [27], the optimal thickness should be found checking lower and higher thicknesses. The second is the thickness of the covering metal, which was fixed to 200 nm in this experiment, but that should be further investigated on the role of thicker and thinner covering films.…”