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Radiation pressure acceleration of ultrathin foils

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Published 30 April 2010 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
, , Focus on Laser- and Beam-Driven Plasma Accelerators Citation Andrea Macchi et al 2010 New J. Phys. 12 045013 DOI 10.1088/1367-2630/12/4/045013

1367-2630/12/4/045013

Abstract

The acceleration of sub-wavelength, solid-density plasma foils by the ultraintense radiation pressure of circularly polarized laser pulses is investigated analytically and with simulations. An improved 'Light Sail' or accelerating mirror model, accounting for nonlinear self-induced transparency effects, is used for estimating the optimal thickness for acceleration. The model predictions are in good agreement with one-dimensional simulations. These latter are analyzed in detail to unfold the dynamics and self-organization of electrons and ions during the acceleration. Two-dimensional simulations are also performed to address the effects of target bending and of laser intensity inhomogeneity.

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10.1088/1367-2630/12/4/045013