Photon bubbles and ion acceleration in a plasma dominated by the radiation pressure of an electromagnetic pulse.
The stability of a thin plasma foil accelerated by the radiation pressure of a high intensity electromagnetic (e.m.) pulse is investigated analytically and with particle in cell numerical simulations. It is shown that the onset of a Rayleigh-Taylor-like instability can lead to transverse bunching of the foil and to broadening of the energy spectrum of fast ions. The use of a properly tailored e.m. pulse with a sharp intensity rise can stabilize the foil acceleration.
Pegoraro
F
F
Physics Dept. and CNISM, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Bulanov
S V
SV