PIC simulation of ion acceleration with a 0.8μm aluminum foil

Ion acceleration using a laser pulse irradiating an aluminum foil target that has iron and hydrogen layers on its surface is examined using 2D PIC simulations. A laser pulse with a power of 196 TW, energy of 7.5 J and peak intensity of 2×10²¹ W/cm², irradiated a 0.8 μm aluminum foil target. A p-polarized laser pulse is incident at an angle of 45° with respect to the target. It is shown that 73 MeV protons and 24 MeV/u iron ions are produced, and high-energy protons are distributed at a position which is shifted 12° from the laser propagation direction. (author)