Effect of plasma profile on ion acceleration in the interaction of a short laser pulse with a thin overdense target.

Energetic ion generation from the interaction of a short laser pulse with a thin overdense plasma accompanied by a preplasma and a rear side plasma gradient is investigated by particle-in-cell simulations. The dynamics of ion acceleration depending on the maximum density of the preplasma in front of the overdense plasma slab with a smooth density gradient at the rear side are presented and discussed by comparing a sharp rear side boundary case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]