Ultrafast laser-driven microlens to focus and energy-select mega-electron volt protons

Science. 2006 Apr 21;312(5772):410-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1124412. Epub 2006 Feb 16.

Abstract

We present a technique for simultaneous focusing and energy selection of high-current, mega-electron volt proton beams with the use of radial, transient electric fields (10(7) to 10(10) volts per meter) triggered on the inner walls of a hollow microcylinder by an intense subpicosecond laser pulse. Because of the transient nature of the focusing fields, the proposed method allows selection of a desired range out of the spectrum of the polyenergetic proton beam. This technique addresses current drawbacks of laser-accelerated proton beams, such as their broad spectrum and divergence at the source.