Laser-driven proton acceleration beyond 100 MeV by radiation pressure and Coulomb repulsion in a conduction-restricted plasma

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56667-3
• Publication Date: 2025-02-10T11:25:12Z
• Authors: Yinren Shou; Xuezhi Wu; Ki Hong Pae; Gwang-Eun Ahn; Seung Yeon Kim; Seong Hoon Kim; Jin Woo Yoon; Jae Hee Sung; Seong Ku Lee; Zheng Gong; Xueqing Yan; Il Woo Choi; Chang Hee Nam
• Keywords: Radiation Pressure; Coulomb explosion

An ultrahigh-intensity femtosecond laser can establish a longitudinal electric field stronger than 1013 Vm−1 within plasma, accelerating particles potentially to GeV over sub-millimetre distance. Laser-accelerated protons with high brightness and picosecond duration are highly desired for applications including proton imaging flash radiotherapy, while major limitation is the relatively low energy achieved yet, primarily due lack of controllable acceleration structure. Here, we report generation cutoff exceeding 110 MeV, by irradiating multi-petawatt on conduction-restricted nanometre polymer foil finite lateral size. The enduring obstacles in achieving ultrahigh contrast excellent pointing accuracy were successfully overcome, allowing effective utilization size-reduced foils. A long structure could be maintained such quasi-isolated since conduction cold electrons was restricted strong Coulomb established carbon ions. Our achievement paves road enhance further, well meeting requirements applications, through process using well-designed nano- or micro-structured targets. Laser-driven has faced persistent 100-MeV barrier hindering its broader applications. authors beyond MeV an ultrahigh-contrast pulse nm-thick foil.