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arXiv · 1510.03254

Synchronized ion acceleration by ultraintense slow light

A. V. Brantov·E. A. Govras·V. F. Kovalev·V. Yu. Bychenkov
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Abstract

An effective scheme of synchronized laser-triggered ion acceleration and the corresponding theoretical model are proposed for a slow light pulse of relativistic intensity, which penetrates into a near-critical-density plasma, strongly slows, and then increases its group velocity during propagation within a target. The 3D PIC simulations confirm this concept for proton acceleration by a femtosecond petawatt-class laser pulse experiencing relativistic self-focusing, quantify the characteristics of the generated protons, and demonstrate a significant increase of their energy compared with the proton energy generated from optimized ultrathin solid dense foils.

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A. V. Brantov, E. A. Govras, V. F. Kovalev, V. Yu. Bychenkov. 2015-10-12. Synchronized ion acceleration by ultraintense slow light. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.116.085004

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