Self consistent model for ponderomotive ion acceleration of laser irradiated two species dense target plasmas

Acceleration of ions using ultra-intense laser irradiated on an overdense target plasma composed of two ion species has been described using a self consistent approach. The analytical model for the steady state described here gives a complete description of the charge separation zone, i.e., ion space charge and electron sheath, created due to ponderomotive force of the laser. It successfully explains the jump in electrostatic potential or field in the laser piston responsible for a major part of the acceleration. The information about the structure of laser piston obtained from the analytical model is used for the stability analysis of the process. It has been found that the stability of the laser piston depends on the target composition. The reflection of incoming ion beams from the coulomb exploding region of the ion space charge has been described in context of the charge on the incident beam species. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3702056]