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In this study, the optimisation of the longitudinal density profile, thickness, and density gradient on the rear side of the gas target formed by a symmetrical and unsymmetrical shock nozzle for the acceleration of proton beams utilising high-repetition kHz lasers has been carried out.
Most of the laser-driven ion acceleration experiments are performed using PW-class lasers focused on the ultrathin foil targets. Emerging multi-terawatt high-repetition lasers operating at kHz repetition rate facilitate the developing of more compact ion sources. The solid foil targets cannot be replaced in the kHz regime. Therefore, the implementation of liquid leaf and high-density gas targets enabling a debris-free laser-driven ion acceleration have attracted a great research interest in the recent years.
ANSYS Fluent simulation was carried out to optimise a Lorentzian gas density profile formed by intersecting shock waves of a symmetrical and unsymmetrical supersonic nozzle manufactured using hybrid 3D laser machining technology from fused silica. The length and density of the first part of unsymmetrical density profile of the hydrogen gas target was analysed aiming to increase the charge and energy of electrons accelerated by a few-cycle 8 fs with 35 mJ of pulse energy focused to 3.3 μm spot. The second part of the high-density region of the 2×10^20 cm^-3 of hydrogen concentration with the down-ramp length of < 50 μm was formed to increase the energy and lower the divergence of protons accelerated at the rear side of the gas target.
