Laser-Ion Lens and Accelerator

Generation of highly collimated monoenergetic relativistic ion beams is one the most challenging and promising areas in ultra-intense laser-matter interactions because numerous scientific technological applications that require such beams. We address this challenge by introducing concept laser-ion lensing acceleration (LILA). Using a simple analogy with gradient-index lens, we demonstrate simultaneous focusing ions accomplished illuminating shaped solid-density target an intense laser pulse at ~10^22 W/cm^2 intensity, using radiation pressure to deform/focus into cubic micron spot. show LILA process can be approximated deformable mirror model, then validate it three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations two-species plasma comprised electrons ions. Extensive scans parameters identify stable propagation regime where Rayleigh-Taylor (RT)-like instability suppressed. Stable are found different powers (from few- multi-petawatt). Focused focused density order 10^23 cm^-3, energies access 750MeV, energy up 2*10^13 J/cm^3 focal point predicted for future multi-petawatt systems.