Optimization of radiation acceleration regime and the target structure in laser plasma interaction

Recent work [1,2] indicates that under proper conditions the interaction of ultra-short, high power lasers with thin foils can generate ion beams in the 100-200 MeV energy range with relatively low velocity dispersion. This technology can have major implications to medical ion proton cancer therapy since it can provide a relatively inexpensive table-top alternative to the current used traditional cyclotrons. This paper presents a simulation trade-off study of laser driven generation of quasi-monochromatic ion beams in the thin-foil Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA) regime. The radiation pressure accelerates the electron cloud, which in its turn transfers accelerates the ions due to the induced longitudinal charge separation fields. A series of two and three-dimensional PIC simulations are presented with emphasis on stabilizing the target plasma against Raleigh-Taylor and modulational instabilities. Such instabilities are known as the main obstacles in achieving monochromatic beams. \\[4pt] [1] B. Eliasson, C. Lui, et al. New Jour. Phys., 11, 2009.\\[0pt] [2] F. Pegoraro, S.V. Bulanov. Laser Phys., v19, N 2, 2009.