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Stable laser-acceleration of high-flux proton beams with plasma collimation

Author

Listed:
  • M. J. V. Streeter

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • G. D. Glenn

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    Stanford University)

  • S. DiIorio

    (University of Michigan)

  • F. Treffert

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    Technische Universität Darmstadt
    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

  • B. Loughran

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • H. Ahmed

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • S. Astbury

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • M. Borghesi

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • N. Bourgeois

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • C. B. Curry

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    University of Alberta)

  • S. J. D. Dann

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • N. P. Dover

    (Imperial College London)

  • T. Dzelzainis

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • O. C. Ettlinger

    (Imperial College London)

  • M. Gauthier

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • L. Giuffrida

    (The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC)

  • S. H. Glenzer

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • R. J. Gray

    (University of Strathclyde
    Sci-Tech Daresbury)

  • J. S. Green

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • G. S. Hicks

    (Imperial College London)

  • C. Hyland

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • V. Istokskaia

    (The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC
    Czech Technical University in Prague)

  • M. King

    (University of Strathclyde
    Sci-Tech Daresbury)

  • D. Margarone

    (Queen’s University Belfast
    The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC)

  • O. McCusker

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • P. McKenna

    (University of Strathclyde
    Sci-Tech Daresbury)

  • Z. Najmudin

    (Imperial College London)

  • C. Parisuaña

    (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    Stanford University)

  • P. Parsons

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

  • C. Spindloe

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • D. R. Symes

    (STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)

  • A. G. R. Thomas

    (University of Michigan)

  • N. Xu

    (Imperial College London)

  • C. A. J. Palmer

    (Queen’s University Belfast)

Abstract

Laser-plasma acceleration of protons offers a compact, ultra-fast alternative to conventional acceleration techniques, and is being widely pursued for potential applications in medicine, industry and fundamental science. Creating a stable, collimated beam of protons at high repetition rates presents a key challenge. Here, we demonstrate the generation of multi-MeV proton beams from a fast-replenishing ambient-temperature liquid sheet. The beam has an unprecedentedly low divergence of 1° (≤20 mrad), resulting from magnetic self-guiding of the proton beam during propagation through a low density vapour. The proton beams, generated at a repetition rate of 5 Hz using only 190 mJ of laser energy, exhibit a hundred-fold increase in flux compared to beams from a solid target. Coupled with the high shot-to-shot stability of this source, this represents a crucial step towards applications.

Suggested Citation

  • M. J. V. Streeter & G. D. Glenn & S. DiIorio & F. Treffert & B. Loughran & H. Ahmed & S. Astbury & M. Borghesi & N. Bourgeois & C. B. Curry & S. J. D. Dann & N. P. Dover & T. Dzelzainis & O. C. Ettlin, 2025. "Stable laser-acceleration of high-flux proton beams with plasma collimation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56248-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56248-4
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