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Near-100 MeV protons via a laser-driven transparency-enhanced hybrid acceleration scheme

Author

Listed:
  • A. Higginson

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • R. J. Gray

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • M. King

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • R. J. Dance

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • S. D. R. Williamson

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • N. M. H. Butler

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • R. Wilson

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • R. Capdessus

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • C. Armstrong

    (University of Strathclyde
    STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • J. S. Green

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • S. J. Hawkes

    (University of Strathclyde
    STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • P. Martin

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • W. Q. Wei

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • S. R. Mirfayzi

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • X. H. Yuan

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • S. Kar

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
    Queen’s University Belfast)

  • M. Borghesi

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • R. J. Clarke

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • D. Neely

    (University of Strathclyde
    STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • P. McKenna

    (University of Strathclyde)

Abstract

The range of potential applications of compact laser-plasma ion sources motivates the development of new acceleration schemes to increase achievable ion energies and conversion efficiencies. Whilst the evolving nature of laser-plasma interactions can limit the effectiveness of individual acceleration mechanisms, it can also enable the development of hybrid schemes, allowing additional degrees of control on the properties of the resulting ion beam. Here we report on an experimental demonstration of efficient proton acceleration to energies exceeding 94 MeV via a hybrid scheme of radiation pressure-sheath acceleration in an ultrathin foil irradiated by a linearly polarised laser pulse. This occurs via a double-peaked electrostatic field structure, which, at an optimum foil thickness, is significantly enhanced by relativistic transparency and an associated jet of super-thermal electrons. The range of parameters over which this hybrid scenario occurs is discussed and implications for ion acceleration driven by next-generation, multi-petawatt laser facilities are explored.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Higginson & R. J. Gray & M. King & R. J. Dance & S. D. R. Williamson & N. M. H. Butler & R. Wilson & R. Capdessus & C. Armstrong & J. S. Green & S. J. Hawkes & P. Martin & W. Q. Wei & S. R. Mirfayz, 2018. "Near-100 MeV protons via a laser-driven transparency-enhanced hybrid acceleration scheme," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03063-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03063-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Rehwald & Stefan Assenbaum & Constantin Bernert & Florian-Emanuel Brack & Michael Bussmann & Thomas E. Cowan & Chandra B. Curry & Frederico Fiuza & Marco Garten & Lennart Gaus & Maxence Gauthie, 2023. "Ultra-short pulse laser acceleration of protons to 80 MeV from cryogenic hydrogen jets tailored to near-critical density," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. J. Hornung & Y. Zobus & S. Roeder & A. Kleinschmidt & D. Bertini & M. Zepf & V. Bagnoud, 2021. "Time-resolved study of holeboring in realistic experimental conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.

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