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Laser-accelerated protons using density gradients in hydrogen plasma spheres

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2021

Ankita Bhagawati Open the ORCID record for Ankita Bhagawati [Opens in a new window]  and
Nilakshi Das Open the ORCID record for Nilakshi Das [Opens in a new window]
Ankita Bhagawati*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India
Nilakshi Das
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India
*
†Email address for correspondence: ankitabhagawati08@gmail.com
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Abstract

The effect of different density profiles on micron-sized hydrogen plasma spheres is investigated when the plasma gets irradiated with an ultrashort circularly polarized laser. In this study, we show that significant improvement in the characteristics of the accelerated protons viz. maximum proton energy, as well as their monoenergetic behaviour, is possible by using a plasma sphere having a tailored density profile. A linear-shaped density inhomogeneity is introduced in the plasma sphere such that the density is peaked at the centre and gradually dropping outwards. The density gradient is tuned by changing the peak density at the centre. The optimum regime of steepness is found for the maximum energy attained by the protons where the target is opaque enough for the radiation pressure to play its role, however not too opaque to inhibit efficient target heating. A novel Gaussian-shaped density profile is suggested which plays an important role in suppressing the sheath field. With a decreased rear-side field, a visible improvement of the monoenergetic feature of the protons is observed.

Keywords

intense particle beamsplasma heatingplasma simulation
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 87 , Issue 4 , August 2021 , 905870413
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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