Magnetic field to focalize and accelerate ions produced by ns laser-generated plasmas

Solid targets have been irradiated in vacuum by an ns-laser pulse producing non-equilibrium plasma accelerating ions along the normal to the target surface. The ions emission can be focused by cylindrical permanent magnets in order to enhance the ion current. The electron traps formation along the main emission direction produces an electrical field driving further ion acceleration. Measurements using time-of-flight technique have been developed to quantize the focusing and accelerating effects induced by the applied magnetic field. Experimental measurements were compared with theoretical calculations obtained using COMSOL software, as it will be presented and discussed.