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Laser-driven proton acceleration beyond 100 MeV by radiation pressure and Coulomb repulsion in a conduction-restricted plasma

Author

Listed:
  • Yinren Shou

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Xuezhi Wu

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Peking University)

  • Ki Hong Pae

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Gwang-Eun Ahn

    (Institute for Basic Science)

  • Seung Yeon Kim

    (Institute for Basic Science)

  • Seong Hoon Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jin Woo Yoon

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jae Hee Sung

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Seong Ku Lee

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Zheng Gong

    (Stanford University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xueqing Yan

    (Peking University)

  • Il Woo Choi

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Chang Hee Nam

    (Institute for Basic Science
    Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

Abstract

An ultrahigh-intensity femtosecond laser can establish a longitudinal electric field stronger than 1013 Vm−1 within a plasma, accelerating particles potentially to GeV over a sub-millimetre distance. Laser-accelerated protons with high brightness and picosecond duration are highly desired for applications including proton imaging and flash radiotherapy, while a major limitation is the relatively low proton energy achieved yet, primarily due to the lack of a controllable acceleration structure. Here, we report the generation of protons with a cutoff energy exceeding 110 MeV, achieved by irradiating a multi-petawatt femtosecond laser on a conduction-restricted nanometre polymer foil with a finite lateral size. The enduring obstacles in achieving ultrahigh laser contrast and excellent laser pointing accuracy were successfully overcome, allowing the effective utilization of size-reduced nanometre foils. A long acceleration structure could be maintained in such a quasi-isolated foil since the conduction of cold electrons was restricted and a strong Coulomb field was established by carbon ions. Our achievement paves the road to enhance proton energy further, well meeting the requirements for applications, through a controllable acceleration process using well-designed nano- or micro-structured targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Yinren Shou & Xuezhi Wu & Ki Hong Pae & Gwang-Eun Ahn & Seung Yeon Kim & Seong Hoon Kim & Jin Woo Yoon & Jae Hee Sung & Seong Ku Lee & Zheng Gong & Xueqing Yan & Il Woo Choi & Chang Hee Nam, 2025. "Laser-driven proton acceleration beyond 100 MeV by radiation pressure and Coulomb repulsion in a conduction-restricted plasma," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56667-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56667-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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