Proton acceleration with intense twisted laser light

(Received 2022; accepted February 2023; published May 2023) An efficient approach that considers a high-intensity twisted laser of moderate energy (few J) is proposed to generate collimated proton bunches with multi-10 MeV energies from a double-layer hydrogen target. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate the formation of a highly collimated and energetic (similar to 40 MeV) proton bunch, whose divergence is similar to 6.5 times smaller compared to the proton bunch driven by a Gaussian laser containing the same energy. Supported by theoretical modeling of relativistic self-focusing in near-critical plasma, we establish a regime that allows for consistent acceleration of high-energetic proton bunches with low divergence under experimentally feasible conditions for twisted drivers.

Automated summary

An efficient approach utilizing a high-intensity twisted laser of moderate energy is proposed to generate collimated proton bunches with multi-10 MeV energies from a double-layer hydrogen target. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show the formation of a highly collimated and energetic proton bunch, with a divergence 6.5 times smaller compared to a Gaussian laser with the same energy. Theoretical modeling supports the consistent acceleration of high-energetic proton bunches with low divergence under experimentally feasible conditions for twisted drivers.