Effects of laser and plasma parameters on shock wave generation and acceleration of protons

Abstract

Collisionless electrostatic shock (CES) waves induced by laser-plasma interactions are studied via a series of 1D and 2D particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. Different target thicknesses, plasma densities and laser intensities have been used to investigate the shock characteristics, since all of them have significant effects on the absorption of the incident laser pulse and the electron temperature. An analytical model has been presented according to momentum conservation and considering the electrons' circulation. Thinner target, lower plasma density and higher laser intensity help to obtain higher energy ions on condition that the CES is formed.