Fast electron transport patterns in intense laser-irradiated solids diagnosed by modeling measured multi-MeV proton beams

作者：Maclellan David A; Carroll David C; Gray Ross J; Booth Nicola; Gonzalez Izquierdo Bruno; Powell Haydn W; Scott Graeme G; Neely David; Mckenna Paul^*

来源：Laser and Particle Beams, 2013, 31(3): 475-480.

DOI：10.1017/S0263034613000529

• fast-electron transport in solids
• laser-driven ion acceleration

The measured spatial-intensity distribution of the beam of protons accelerated from the rear side of a solid target irradiated by an intense (%26gt;10(19) Wcm(-2)) laser pulse provides a diagnostic of the two-dimensional fast electron density profile at the target rear surface and thus the fast electron beam transport pattern within the target. An analytical model is developed, accounting for rear-surface fast electron sheath dynamics, ionization and projection of the resulting beam of protons. The sensitivity of the spatial-intensity distribution of the proton beam to the fast electron density distribution is investigated. An annular fast electron beam transport pattern with filamentary structure is inferred for the case of a thick diamond target irradiated at a peak laser intensity of 6 x 10(19) Wcm(-2).

• 出版日期2013-9