Accurate spectra for high energy ions by advanced time-of-flight diamond-detector schemes in experiments with high energy and intensity lasers

Time-Of-Flight (TOF) methods are very effective to detect particles accelerated in laser-plasma interactions, but they show significant limitations when used in experiments with high energy and intensity lasers, where both high-energy ions and remarkable levels of ElectroMagnetic Pulses (EMPs) in the radiofrequency-microwave range are generated. Here we describe a novel advanced diagnostic method for the characterization of protons accelerated by intense matter interactions with high-energy and high-intensity ultra-short laser pulses up to the femtosecond and even future attosecond range. The method employs a stacked diamond detector structure and the TOF technique, featuring high sensitivity, high resolution, high radiation hardness and high signal-to-noise ratio in environments heavily affected by remarkable EMP fields. A detailed study on the use, the optimization and the properties of a single module of the stack is here described for an experiment where a fast diamond detector is employed in an highly EMP-polluted environment. Accurate calibrated spectra of accelerated protons are presented from an experiment with the femtosecond Flame laser (beyond 100 TW power and similar to 10(19) W/cm(2) intensity) interacting with thin foil targets. The results can be readily applied to the case of complex stack configurations and to more general experimental conditions.

Automated summary

Time-Of-Flight (TOF) methods are effective for detecting particles accelerated by laser-plasma interactions, but have limitations in high energy and intensity laser experiments due to the generation of high-energy ions and significant levels of ElectroMagnetic Pulses (EMPs). A novel diagnostic method using stacked diamond detector structure and TOF technique is described for characterizing protons accelerated by intense laser pulses, offering high sensitivity, resolution, radiation hardness, and signal-to-noise ratio in heavily EMP-affected environments. Detailed study on a single module of the stack in a highly EMP-polluted environment is presented, along with calibrated spectra of accelerated protons from an experiment with the femtosecond Flame laser.