Ultrafast laser-driven microlens to focus and energy-select mega-electron volt protons.
We present a technique for simultaneous focusing and energy selection of high-current, mega-electron volt proton beams with the use of radial, transient electric fields (10(7) to 10(10) volts per meter) triggered on the inner walls of a hollow microcylinder by an intense subpicosecond laser pulse. Because of the transient nature of the focusing fields, the proposed method allows selection of a desired range out of the spectrum of the polyenergetic proton beam. This technique addresses current drawbacks of laser-accelerated proton beams, such as their broad spectrum and divergence at the source.
Toncian
Toma
T
Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Borghesi
Marco
M
Fuchs
Julien
J
d'Humières
Emmanuel
E
Antici
Patrizio
P
Audebert
Patrick
P
Brambrink
Erik
E
Cecchetti
Carlo Alberto
CA
Pipahl
Ariane
A
Romagnani
Lorenzo
L
Willi
Oswald
O