Observation of a high degree of stopping for laser-accelerated intense proton beams in dense ionized matter

Intense particle beams generated from the interaction of ultrahigh intensity lasers with sample foils provide options in radiography, high-yield neutron sources, high-energy-density-matter generation, and ion fast ignition. An accurate understanding of beam transportation behavior in dense matter is crucial for all these applications. Here we report the experimental evidence on one order of magnitude enhancement of intense laser-accelerated proton beam stopping in dense ionized matter, in comparison with the current-widely used models describing individual ion stopping in matter. Supported by particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we attribute the enhancement to the strong decelerating electric field approaching 1 GV/m that can be created by the beam-driven return current. This collective effect plays the dominant role in the stopping of laser-accelerated intense proton beams in dense ionized matter. This finding is essential for the optimum design of ion driven fast ignition and inertial confinement fusion.