Versatile tape-drive target for high-repetition-rate laser-driven proton acceleration. (21st March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, N.; Streeter, M. J. V.; Ettlinger, O. C.; Ahmed, H.; Astbury, S.; Borghesi, M.; Bourgeois, N.; Curry, C. B.; Dann, S. J. D.; Dover, N. P.; Dzelzainis, T.; Istokskaia, V.; Gauthier, M.; Giuffrida, L.; Glenn, G. D.; Glenzer, S. H.; Gray, R. J.; Green, J. S.; Hicks, G. S.; Hyland, C.; King, M.; Loughran, B.; Margarone, D.; McCusker, O.; McKenna, P.; Parisuaña, C.; Parsons, P.; Spindloe, C.; Symes, D. R.; Treffert, F.; Palmer, C. A. J.; Najmudin, Z.;
• Is Part Of: High power laser science and engineering. Volume 11(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-21
• Subjects: high-repetition-rate laser target -- laser–plasma acceleration -- proton generation -- tape-drive target; High power lasers -- Periodicals; 621.366
• DOI: 10.1017/hpl.2023.27
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-4719

Abstract

Abstract: We present the development and characterization of a high-stability, multi-material, multi-thickness tape-drive target for laser-driven acceleration at repetition rates of up to 100 Hz. The tape surface position was measured to be stable on the sub-micrometre scale, compatible with the high-numerical aperture focusing geometries required to achieve relativistic intensity interactions with the pulse energy available in current multi-Hz and near-future higher repetition-rate lasers ( $>$ kHz). Long-term drift was characterized at 100 Hz demonstrating suitability for operation over extended periods. The target was continuously operated at up to 5 Hz in a recent experiment for 70, 000 shots without intervention by the experimental team, with the exception of tape replacement, producing the largest data-set of relativistically intense laser–solid foil measurements to date. This tape drive provides robust targetry for the generation and study of high-repetition-rate ion beams using next-generation high-power laser systems, also enabling wider applications of laser-driven proton sources.