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Proton acceleration by fast electrons in laser–solid interactions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 November 2002

J.R. DAVIES
Affiliation:
GoLP, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract

The emission of high-energy protons in laser–solid interactions and the theories that have been used to explain it are briefly reviewed. To these theories we add a further possibility: the acceleration of protons inside the target by the electric field generated by fast electrons. This is considered using a simple one-dimensional model. It is found that for relativistic laser intensities and sufficiently long pulse durations, the proton energy gain is typically several times the fast electron temperature. The results are very similar to those obtained for proton acceleration by electron expansion into vacuum.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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