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Laser ion acceleration from concave targets by subpicosecond pulses

K. V. Lezhnin1,*, V. Ospina-Bohórquez2, J. Griff-McMahon1,3, K. Bhutwala1, R. Nedbailo4, R. Davis5, X. Vaisseau2, I. D. Kaganovich1, and S. Malko1

  • *Contact author: klezhnin@pppl.gov
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033219 – Published 24 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/rbwx-m6mb

Abstract

Laser-driven proton acceleration provides a powerful route for generating ultrashort, high-charge proton beams. Many applications, including secondary neutron sources and inertial fusion, benefit from tight proton beam focusing. Concave targets offer a robust solution, yet the scaling of proton focusing with laser and target parameters remains poorly understood. Here, we present a numerical study of laser-driven proton acceleration and focusing from hemispherical targets using the fully kinetic, relativistic Particle-In-Cell code EPOCH. We focus on the subpicosecond laser-pulse regime (duration ≲102 fs), centering on the laser parameters of our recent experiment at the Colorado State University ALEPH laser facility. We investigate the proton acceleration mechanisms, characterize proton focusing, and assess how focal spot parameters scale with laser and target parameters. We identify Target Normal Sheath Acceleration as the dominant mechanism, supplemented by a secondary postacceleration stage near the geometrical center of the hemisphere. We demonstrate that both the proton focal spot size and focal plane position scale approximately linearly with the hemisphere radius, with the focal plane consistently located downstream of the geometrical center. The opening angle of the concave target mainly affects the proton beam waist. Energy-dependent proton focusing can be understood, in part, as arising from the evolving curvature of the accelerating structure, which departs from the target curvature. Evidence for self-similar proton focusing is found in the regime of nearly uniform target irradiation.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033219– Published 24 August, 2026
  • Received 15 April 2026
  • Accepted 21 July 2026
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