Collimated multi-MeV ion beams from high-intensity laser interactions with underdense plasma

A beam of multi-MeV helium ions has been observed from the interaction of a short-pulse high-intensity laser pulse with underdense helium plasma. The ion beam was found to have a maximum energy for He2+ of (40(+3)(-8)) MeV and was directional along the laser propagation path, with the highest energy...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 96; no. 24; p. 245002
Main Authors Willingale, L, Mangles, S P D, Nilson, P M, Clarke, R J, Dangor, A E, Kaluza, M C, Karsch, S, Lancaster, K L, Mori, W B, Najmudin, Z, Schreiber, J, Thomas, A G R, Wei, M S, Krushelnick, K
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 23.06.2006
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:A beam of multi-MeV helium ions has been observed from the interaction of a short-pulse high-intensity laser pulse with underdense helium plasma. The ion beam was found to have a maximum energy for He2+ of (40(+3)(-8)) MeV and was directional along the laser propagation path, with the highest energy ions being collimated to a cone of less than 10 degrees. 2D particle-in-cell simulations show that the ions are accelerated by a sheath electric field that is produced at the back of the gas target. This electric field is generated by transfer of laser energy to a hot electron beam, which exits the target generating large space-charge fields normal to its boundary.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.245002