Low-divergence relativistic proton jet from a thin solid target driven by an ultra-intense circularly polarized Laguerre–Gaussian laser pulse
Ki Hong Pae, Hoon Song, Chang‐Mo Ryu, Chang Hee Nam, Chul Min Kim
Abstract
Abstract We propose a new ion acceleration scheme of irradiating a thin solid target with an ultraintense circularly polarized Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) laser pulse. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are performed to demonstrate that this scheme can generate a low-divergence high-density relativistic proton jet. By this scheme, the number of protons emitted with a small angle (<1°) from the laser axis can be more than tens of times as high as that of the protons accelerated by a circularly polarized Gaussian pulse. The inward ponderomotive force of the LG pulse drives such a proton beam along the laser axis.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsPonderomotive forceProtonPulse (music)LaserAtomic physicsGaussianOpticsJet (fluid)AccelerationLaguerre polynomialsDivergence (linguistics)Nuclear physicsQuantum mechanicsThermodynamicsPhilosophyLinguisticsDetectorLaser-Plasma Interactions and DiagnosticsLaser-Matter Interactions and ApplicationsGamma-ray bursts and supernovae