Title: Study of Energetic Ion Generation from High-Intensity-Laser Dense-Plasma Interactions
Abstract: We report on the characteristics of an ultrafast‐laser driven proton beam from thin‐film targets. The difference in proton beam profiles, beam energies, and laser induced back ablation plumes between a dielectric (Mylar) and a conductor (aluminum) are discussed. Evidence for front‐side acceleration and a method for beam manipulation are also presented.