We have measured multi-keV protons and ∼100 keV
iodine ions from the interaction of intense, femtosecond
laser pulses with atomic Xe clusters and mixed-species
HI clusters. The explosion dynamics of the HI clusters
differs from the pure H and I cluster cases, with the iodine
energies being substantially reduced. Mixed-species clusters
provide a possible route for boosting the explosion energies
of low-Z ions, and extend the advantages of the
laser-cluster interaction to species that do not readily
form pure clusters.