Laser-Plasma Ion Beam Booster Based on Hollow-Channel Magnetic Vortex Acceleration

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new staging method for laser-driven ion acceleration that maintains beam quality across different energy regimes, supported by 3D simulations demonstrating its effectiveness with high-charge proton bunches.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, scalable staging concept for laser-plasma ion acceleration that preserves beam quality from non-relativistic to relativistic energies.

Findings

Successful simulation of high-charge proton bunches

Robustness of the staging concept demonstrated

Applicable to near-term laser facilities

Abstract

Laser-driven ion acceleration provides ultra-short, high-charge, low-emittance beams, which are desirable for a wide range of high-impact applications. Yet after decades of research, a significant increase in maximum ion energy is still needed. This work introduces a quality-preserving staging concept for ultra-intense ion bunches that is seamlessly applicable from the non-relativistic plasma source to the relativistic regime. Full 3D particle-in-cell simulations prove robustness and capture of a high-charge proton bunch, suitable for readily available and near-term laser facilities.