Acceleration and focusing of multispecies ion beam using a converging laser-driven shock

Abstract

We demonstrate an ion acceleration scheme capable of simultaneously focusing and accelerating a multispecies ion beam with monoenergetic spectra to a few micron radius. The focal length and ion mean energy can be independently controlled: the former by using a different front-surface shape and the latter by tuning the laser-plasma parameters. We interpret the results using simple models and validate the results using first-principles simulations. The scheme is applicable to different laser transverse profiles and multi-ion species target, and limiting factors for the ion focusing are delineated. The generated ion beam exhibits high charge, low emittance, and high energy flux and is of interest to various applications including Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), high flux neutron generation, and biomedical applications.