Multi-MeV Proton Source Investigations in Ultraintense Laser-Foil Interactions

Abstract

A study of the properties of multi-MeV proton emission from thin foils following ultraintense laser irradiation has been carried out. It has been shown that the protons are emitted, in a quasilaminar fashion, from a region of transverse size of the order of [Formula presented]. The imaging properties of the proton source are equivalent to those of a much smaller source located several hundred [Formula presented] in front of the foil. This finding has been obtained by analyzing proton radiographs of periodically structured test objects, and is corroborated by observations of proton emission from laser-heated thick targets. © 2004 The American Physical Society.