Proton beam production by a laser ion source with hydride target

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Laser ion sources typically struggle with gas-based targets due to difficulties in forming a dense target.
• Achieving stable and efficient ion beam production is crucial for various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate proton beam production from a laser ion source using hydrogen-rich materials.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of hydride targets in overcoming limitations of gas-based targets.
• To assess the stability and yield of proton beams generated under specific laser conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sub-nanosecond Q-switched Nd-YAG laser.
• Employed hydrogen-rich target materials, specifically titanium hydride.
• Monitored proton beam yields and beam current during the experiment.

Main Results:

• Sufficient proton yields were detected from the titanium hydride target.
• No degradation of beam current was observed during the experiment, indicating stable operation.
• The use of hydride targets effectively suppressed target material consumption.

Conclusions:

• The combination of a sub-nanosecond laser and compressed hydride targets offers a promising approach for stable proton beam generation.
• This method provides a reliable alternative for laser ion sources, overcoming previous limitations.
• Further research into hydride targets could enhance laser-driven ion source performance.