Laser-driven ion acceleration on uniform curved hydrocarbon foil targets of varying angles of curvature

Abstract

Foils with curved surfaces have been explored for use in laser-driven ion acceleration as alternatives to conventional flat foils. To further optimize the energy spectra and the precision of the proton beams, the angle of curvature was varied on uniform hydrocarbon foils to determine its significance in proton beam output. Using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, the electric fields produced from laser-plasma interactions, as well as the number density, energy spectra and angular distribution of the accelerated protons, were tracked and visualized. The proton cut-off energies reached a peak value of ∼59 MeV for 60°-curved foils, and the mean density of the accelerated protons were higher for curved targets.