Characterization of proton and heavier ion acceleration in ultrahigh-intensity laser interactions with heated target foils
- Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG (United Kingdom)
- Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX (United Kingdom)
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Physics, University of Paisley, PA1 2BE (United Kingdom)
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ (United Kingdom)
- Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ (United Kingdom)
Proton and heavy ion acceleration in ultrahigh intensity ({approx}2x10{sup 20} W cm{sup -2}) laser plasma interactions has been investigated using the new petawatt arm of the VULCAN laser. Nuclear activation techniques have been applied to make the first spatially integrated measurements of both proton and heavy ion acceleration from the same laser shots with heated and unheated Fe foil targets. Fe ions with energies greater than 10 MeV per nucleon have been observed. Effects of target heating on the accelerated ion energy spectra and the laser-to-ion energy conversion efficiencies are discussed. The laser-driven production of the long-lived isotope {sup 57}Co (271 days) via a heavy ion induced reaction is demonstrated.
- OSTI ID:
- 20636602
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 70, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.70.036405; (c) 2004 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-651X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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