Comparison of laser ion acceleration from the front and rear surfaces of thin foils.
The comparative efficiency and beam characteristics of high-energy ions generated by high-intensity short-pulse lasers (approximately 1-6 x 10(19) W/cm2) from both the front and rear surfaces of thin metal foils have been measured under identical conditions. Using direct beam measurements and nuclear activation techniques, we find that rear-surface acceleration produces higher energy particles with smaller divergence and a higher efficiency than front-surface acceleration. Our observations are well reproduced by realistic particle-in-cell simulations, and we predict optimal criteria for future applications.
Fuchs
J
J
General Atomics, San Diego, California 92121, USA.
Sentoku
Y
Y
Karsch
S
S
Cobble
J
J
Audebert
P
P
Kemp
A
A
Nikroo
A
A
Antici
P
P
Brambrink
E
E
Blazevic
A
A
Campbell
E M
EM
Fernández
J C
JC
Gauthier
J-C
JC
Geissel
M
M
Hegelich
M
M
Pépin
H
H
Popescu
H
H
Renard-LeGalloudec
N
N
Roth
M
M
Schreiber
J
J
Stephens
R
R
Cowan
T E
TE