Versatile tape-drive target for high-repetition-rate laser-driven proton acceleration

• DOI: 10.1017/hpl.2023.27
• Publication Date: 2023-03-21T08:08:51Z
• Authors: N. Xu; M. J. V. Streeter; O. C. Ettlinger; H. Ahmed; S. Astbury; M. Borghesi; N. Bourgeois; C. B. Curry; S. J. D. Dann; N. P. Dover; T. Dzelzainis; V. Istokskaia; M. Gauthier; L. Giuffrida; G. D. Glenn; S. H. Glenzer; R. J. Gray; J. S. Green; G. S. Hicks; C. Hyland; M. King; B. Loughran; D. Margarone; O. McCusker; P. McKenna; C. Parisuaña; P. Parsons; C. Spindloe; D. R. Symes; F. Treffert; C. A. J. Palmer; Z. Najmudin
• Keywords: Repetition (rhetorical device)

Abstract We present the development and characterization of a high-stability, multi-material, multi-thickness tape-drive target for laser-driven acceleration at repetition rates up to 100 Hz. The tape surface position was measured be stable on sub-micrometre scale, compatible with high-numerical aperture focusing geometries required achieve relativistic intensity interactions pulse energy available in current multi-Hz near-future higher repetition-rate lasers ( $>$ kHz). Long-term drift characterized Hz demonstrating suitability operation over extended periods. continuously operated 5 recent experiment 70,000 shots without intervention by experimental team, exception replacement, producing largest data-set relativistically intense laser–solid foil measurements date. This drive provides robust targetry generation study high-repetition-rate ion beams using next-generation high-power laser systems, also enabling wider applications proton sources.