Real-Time Optimization of Proton Production by Intense Short-Pulse Laser with Time-of-Flight Measurement

A scheme of the real-time optimization of proton production by an intense short-pulse laser interacting with a foil target was developed using a time-of-flight measurement with a plastic scintillator. Owing to special treatments, the detection of protons using a scintillation counter has become possible under heavy backgrounds such as laser light itself, laser-generated hard X-ray, self-emission light, and electrons from the laser-produced plasma. With such a real-time measurement of protons, the energy spectrum of protons could be obtained shot by shot, and the experimental conditions for optimal proton production could be determined very efficiently.