High-intensity laser-driven particle and electromagnetic wave sources for science, industry, and medicine

Abstract

We simultaneously observed both the fast proton generation and terahertz (THz) radiation in the laser pulse interaction with a thin-foil target. The maximum proton energy of ~2. 3 MeV and an intense THz radiation were observed at the pulse duration of ~30 fs. We also measured the proton beam and UV harmonics from a thin-foil target by changing the laser pulse duration. In the case of the ~500 fs, peaks of UV harmonics up to fourth order appeared. This unique combination of the multiple beams will provide useful applications such as pump-probe experiments. © 2009 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH.