Laser Ion Acceleration from Mass-Limited Targets with Preplasma

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates through simulations that surrounding mass-limited targets with underdense plasma enhances ion acceleration via magnetic squeezing and plasma resonance effects, leading to more efficient Coulomb explosions.

Contribution

It reveals the role of plasma corona and self-generated magnetic fields in significantly boosting laser-driven ion acceleration from mass-limited targets.

Findings

Enhanced ion acceleration observed with plasma corona

Magnetic squeezing intensifies Coulomb explosion

Density holes and resonance effects contribute to acceleration

Abstract

The interaction of high intensity laser radiation with mass-limited target exhibits significant enhancement of the ion acceleration when the target is surrounded by an underdense plasma corona, as seen in numerical simulations. The self-generated quasistatic magnetic field squeezes the corona causing the intensification of a subsequent Coulomb explosion of the target. The electric field intensification at the target edges and plasma resonance effects result in the generation of characteristic density holes and further contributes to the ion acceleration.The interaction of high intensity laser radiation with mass-limited target exhibits significant enhancement of the ion acceleration when the target is surrounded by an underdense plasma corona, as seen in numerical simulations. The self-generated quasistatic magnetic field squeezes the corona causing the intensification of a subsequent Coulomb explosion of the target. The electric field intensification at the target edges and plasma resonance effects result in the generation of characteristic density holes and further contributes to the ion acceleration.