Laser proton acceleration from liquid crystal films of different thicknesses with ultra-high laser contrast

We present results of our experimental campaign on laser proton acceleration, in which liquid crystal film targets of tunable thickness were irradiated with plasma mirror cleaned laser pulses. The data show a significant increase in proton cut-off energy up to 25 MeV for a target thickness of 10 nm as compared to the few- micron scale reference for this target configuration yielding roughly 12 MeV.

The performance of laser based ion acceleration strongly depends on the laser temporal contrast and its effect on the target plasma scale length. Plasma mirror setups have proven to be a valuable tool to improve the temporal contrast by several orders of magnitude, reducing the intensity of pre-pulses that emanate from the laser chain and steepening the rising edge of the main laser pulse. We present recent results obtained at the Titanium Sapphire laser system Draco, delivering 30 fs long laser pulses at an intensity exceeding 10^20 W/cm^2. Our recently commissioned single plasma mirror improves the contrast by four orders of magnitude while reflecting 80% of the initial pulse energy. Its influence on the laser proton acceleration process was studied in a campaign in collaboration with the High Energy Density Physics Group of Ohio State University using their tunable liquid crystal film target source. This device allows an on-demand variation of the target thickness from tens of micrometers down to 10 nm while keeping the target composition constant. The target was positioned under 45 degrees with respect to the incoming laser beam while accelerated protons and ions were monitored in both laser- and target normal direction by means of Thomson Parabolas and Radiochromic Film stacks. Hence, being sensitive to the identification of acceleration regimes beyond the well-known Target Normal Sheath Acceleration, preliminary results display a significant increase in proton cut-off energy when reaching thin targets. Up to 25 MeV could be observed for an optimum target thickness of 10 nm as compared to the few- micron scale reference for this target configuration yielding roughly 12 MeV.