Similarity laws for production of GeV ions from high-intensity laser-target interactions

Abstract

The formation of energetic (MeV–GeV) ions from the interaction of an intense ultrashort pulse laser with a “thin” $\left(\sim 1\mu \text{m}\right)$ lithium planar target is investigated theoretically with a two-dimensional relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell model. Extensive simulations for various combinations of peak laser intensities, pulse durations, and laser spot sizes indicate that just one parameter, the laser fluence (incident laser energy per unit area), is sufficient to describe the interaction of high-intensity laser with micron-thick targets.