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.
Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Toma
T
Toncian
Marco
M
Borghesi
Julien
J
Fuchs
Emmanuel
E
d'Humières
Patrizio
P
Antici
Patrick
P
Audebert
Erik
E
Brambrink
Carlo Alberto
CA
Cecchetti
Ariane
A
Pipahl
Lorenzo
L
Romagnani
Oswald
O
Willi