Efficient proton beam generation from a foam-carbon foil target using an intense circularly polarized laser

Energetic proton acceleration from interaction of intense circularly polarized laser pulse with a foam-carbon foil target is investigated using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. It is found that protons from this target are accelerated to much higher energy in comparison with double-layer targets and simple flat targets. This result can be attributed to an enhancement of energy conversion efficiency from laser to electrons inside foam region. When a large number of energetic electrons are generated from the nearcritical plasma, they transport through the foil and form a strong backside sheath field which accelerates protons more efficiently. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4747158]