Ion Acceleration with High Intensity Lasers

Regents Of The University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

The proposed research involves experimental studies of ion acceleration with ultra-intense lasers. The laser power will allow access to the strongly relativistic regime of laser-plasma interactions, which is at the vanguard of the fields of optics and plasma physics. A central task will be a controlled, systematic and comprehensive study of the scaling of proton energy and flux over a large range of laser parameters as well as target geometries and material properties. In the process, we will develop real-time ion beam diagnostics, the lack of which currently limits progress in this research area.