Characterization of proton and heavier ion acceleration in ultrahigh-intensity laser interactions with heated target foils

McKenna, P. and Ledingham, K. W.D. and Yang, J. M. and Robson, L. and McCanny, T. and Shimizu, S. and Clarke, R. J. and Neely, D. and Spohr, K. and Chapman, R. and Singhal, R. P. and Krushelnick, K. and Wei, M. S. and Norreys, P. A. (2004) Characterization of proton and heavier ion acceleration in ultrahigh-intensity laser interactions with heated target foils. Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 70 (3). 036405. ISSN 2470-0053 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.70.036405)

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Abstract

The investigation of proton and heavy ion acceleration was carried out in ultrahigh intensity laser plasma interactions using VULCAN lasers. The first spatially integrated measurement of proton and heavy ion acceleration was performed with nuclear activation techniques. High-intensity laser-plasma interactions provide a unique and potentially important source of nuclear radiation for radioisotope production. By controlling the target conditions and the accelerated ion beam properties, the production of radioisotopes can be controlled effectively.