Ion production and detection from laser-thin target interaction

Proton and ion acceleration via a laser-generated plasma from thin hydrogenated films is investigated at relatively low laser pulse intensity, on the order of 10(10) W/cm(2). A time-of-flight technique is employed in order to measure the proton energy and the relative yield with respect to other ion species. Two ion collectors are employed in opposite directions to measure the mean ion energy and yield as a function of the thin-target geometry and composition. The proton kinetic energy and the emission yield are measured in backward and forward directions normal to the irradiated target surface. Data analysis is based on the Coulomb-Boltzmann-shifted distribution function. A comparison between the results obtained in thin films and in thick targets is presented and discussed.