Effects of the Transverse Instability and Wave Breaking on the Laser-Driven Thin Foil Acceleration

Y. Wan, I. A. Andriyash, W. Lu, W. B. Mori, Victor A. Malka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Acceleration of ultrathin foils by the laser radiation pressure promises a compact alternative to the conventional ion sources. Among the challenges on the way to practical realization, one fundamental is a strong transverse plasma instability, which develops density perturbations and breaks the acceleration. In this Letter, we develop a theoretical model supported by three-dimensional numerical simulations to explain the transverse instability growth from noise to wave breaking and its crucial effect on stopping the acceleration. The wave-broken nonlinear mode triggers rapid stochastic heating that finally explodes the target. Possible paths to mitigate this problem for getting efficient ion acceleration are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104801
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume125
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Sep 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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