Abstract
Emission of several tens of \mA}cm2 currents carried by MeV-protons is reported for plasmas produced by a beam of the 3-TW kJ-class Prague Asterix Laser System (PALS) focused onto foil targets of various thicknesses. The maximum proton energy of 4.2 MeV is observed at a modest irradiance (Iλ2∼ 2× 1016 W cm -2μm2). According to the maximum ion energy scaling EM∼ (Iλ2)0.4 found for picosecond lasers such a value should be reached at Iλ2∼3×10 18 W cm-2μ m2. Enhancement of the maximum proton energy can be explained by nonlinear interaction of the PALS laser beam with the generated plasma. Nonlinear effects also result in enhancement in the yield of fusion neutrons from CD2 plasma. The obtained yield of 4× 105 DD-neutrons per laser energy is comparable to those obtained by the use of ps- and fs-lasers irradiating targets with Iλ2∼1019 W cm-2μ m2.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 6504780 |
Pages (from-to) | 2819-2824 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 25 Oct 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Deuterium
- Ion bursts
- Laser-produced plasma
- MultiMeV protons
- Yield of fusion neutrons
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nuclear and High Energy Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics