Laser acceleration system for generating monoenergetic protons

摘要

A proton acceleration system is provided for accelerating protons within a target. The system includes a laser source generating a laser beam having a wavelength λ_L and intensity and a target formed of foil having a selected thickness. The target is irradiated by the laser beam and transformed into a plasma that has a target density. This causes a treatment energy to be emitted from the foil due to the irradiation. The thickness of the foil of the target is selected so that the foil has a thickness within a range of optimal thickness Δ_s to 2×Δ_s, wherein Δ_s is less than the laser wavelength and is a function of the laser intensity, laser wavelength, and target density sufficient to achieve radiation pressure acceleration (RPA).