Micro-pillar surface orientation and its effect on laser-accelerated proton beam quality

Authors

  • Evanghelos D. Quimpo ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Myles Allen H. Zosa ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract

Implementing micro-pillar protrusions on a micro-target surface can potentially enhance laser-to-ion energy conversion and proton beam collimation during laser-driven ion acceleration. Using the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation code EPOCH, a singular pulse of a 1 μm relativistic Gaussian laser beam irradiated the front surface of a 2 μm thick Al substrate with micro-pillars, heating the target and producing plasma. The laser-plasma interaction produced a strong electric field (1013 V/m) and proton beams with energies tens of MeV high. The target with rear surface micro-pillars emitted stronger electric fields, while the target with front surface micro-pillars produced proton beams of higher energy and lower divergence. However, the implementation of micro-pillars appeared to have lowered the proton beam density.

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Article ID

SPP-2024-2D-04

Section

Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science

Published

2024-06-26

How to Cite

[1]
ED Quimpo and MAH Zosa, Micro-pillar surface orientation and its effect on laser-accelerated proton beam quality, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 42, SPP-2024-2D-04 (2024). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2024-2D-04.