Graphene Composite Target for Laser-Driven Ion Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-driven ion acceleration technologies face challenges with ultra-thin solid targets that are fragile and prone to damage from high-energy laser pre-pulses, leading to poor ion acceleration efficiency and target destruction before the main pulse arrives.
Innovation Solution
A composite target is developed using a graphene film with a substrate, where the graphene film serves as a scaffold to support a thin film, allowing it to withstand pre-pulse bombardment and achieve maximum ionization, comprising a substrate with a through hole and a graphene thin film with a thickness between 1 nm to 3 nm, optionally layered with carbon-based, hydrocarbon-based, or metallic thin films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the thickness of the solid target is reduced to enhance acceleration efficiency, then the ion acceleration efficiency is improved, but the target becomes fragile and cannot withstand pre-pulse laser bombardment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite target structure consisting of an ultra-thin solid target (thickness ≤ 10 μm) combined with a gas jet system. The gas jet (typically hydrogen or deuterium) forms a protective cushion in front of the ultra-thin target, absorbing the harmful pre-pulse laser energy while allowing the main pulse to effectively ionize and accelerate ions from the target. This composite approach enables the target to be thin enough for high acceleration efficiency while the gas layer provides the necessary durability against pre-pulse damage.
2Reliability
If a gas jet is introduced to protect the target, then the target durability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a gas jet system where compressed gas (hydrogen or deuterium) is delivered through a nozzle positioned in front of the target. The gas flows continuously or in pulses, forming a protective plasma cushion that shields the ultra-thin target from pre-pulse laser bombardment. This pneumatic approach provides a simple yet effective method to enhance target durability without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite target effectively withstands pre-pulse laser bombardment, enhances ionization, and maintains high acceleration efficiency by using a graphene film as a scaffold to support fragile materials, allowing for the release of protons or carbon ions with improved durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a high-energy laser beam to bombard a solid target, to cause a powerful Coulomb explosion at a front side thereof, so as to instantly heat up and ionize the composition materials of the solid target into a plasma state
Implementation Method 2
cause a powerful Coulomb explosion at a front side thereof
Implementation Method 3
A group of ionized hot electrons in the plasma cloud is thus pushed away and driven by the ponderomotive force from a laser electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 4
The aggregation of hot electrons simultaneously induces a strong electrostatic field, which pulls a group of ionized protons moving forward, and is capable of accelerating the ionized protons up to a very high energy level
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ion generation composite target for an ion irradiation technology including: a substrate having a through hole formed thereon; and a graphene thin film configured on the substrate, across the through hole, having a thickness in a range between 1 nm to 3 nm, and ionized to release a proton or a carbon ion.