Collimated proton generation with accompanied magnetic fields

The 23^rd Academic Exchange Seminar Between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Osaka University

Baojun Zhu

(Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University)

ABSTRACT

We report a novel idea to confine proton divergence with a pulsed-magnetic field generated with relativistic picosecond lasers. Compared with the magnetic fields produced by nanosecond lasers due to return current, a 1.8 ± 0.6 kT magnetic field is generated with higher energy conversion efficiency due to hot electron flow current. The divergence of proton beams is reduced obviously by the simultaneously-generated strong magnetic fields. The reduction in divergence is proportional to the proton energy compared with that without the external strong magnetic fields. These results provide some new opportunities for developing laser-driven magnetic fields and laser-driven energetic particle applications.