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Parametric study of laser-driven proton beams through laser spatio-temporal shaping for machine-learning assisted
Optics Express
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Spatial laser beam shaping significantly impacts proton acceleration in the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) regime, while temporal shaping has minimal effect. Maximum proton energy serves as a reliable performance indicator for optimization.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Laser-matter interaction
- Particle acceleration
Background:
- The Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) is a primary mechanism for laser-driven ion acceleration.
- Optimizing TNSA requires understanding the influence of laser beam characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of spatio-temporal laser beam shaping on proton acceleration within the TNSA regime.
- To identify key parameters for optimizing TNSA performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a deformable mirror with 20 actuators and an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter to control laser wavefront and spectral phase.
- Conducted experiments irradiating 4.5-μm aluminum targets with 3.2 J laser energy.
- Employed correlation analysis and surrogate modeling for data interpretation.
Main Results:
- Spatial laser beam shaping demonstrated a strong influence on proton acceleration observables.
- Temporal laser beam shaping exhibited a minor effect on the acceleration process.
- Maximum proton energy was identified as a robust proxy for TNSA performance.
Conclusions:
- Spatial beam shaping is a critical factor for optimizing laser-driven proton acceleration in the TNSA regime.
- Maximum proton energy provides a practical metric for evaluating and optimizing TNSA performance under specific experimental conditions.
