Effect of target heating on ion-induced reactions in high-intensity laser–plasma interactions

Measurements of ion-induced nuclear reactions have been used to diagnose ion acceleration from the interaction of high-intensity (>1019 W cm−2) laser light with solid targets. Nuclear activation of catcher materials surrounding the interaction region has been studied using a high-resolution germanium detector. It was found that, when a 100 μm thick Al target foil was preheated, the proton flux produced from the laser–foil interaction was considerably reduced. Observed heavy-ion-induced reactions are used with calculated reaction cross sections to quantify ion acceleration.