Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 065002 (2007) [4 pages]Photon Bubbles and Ion Acceleration in a Plasma Dominated by the Radiation Pressure of an Electromagnetic PulseReceived 18 January 2007; published 8 August 2007 The stability of a thin plasma foil accelerated by the radiation pressure of a high intensity electromagnetic (e.m.) pulse is investigated analytically and with particle in cell numerical simulations. It is shown that the onset of a Rayleigh-Taylor-like instability can lead to transverse bunching of the foil and to broadening of the energy spectrum of fast ions. The use of a properly tailored e.m. pulse with a sharp intensity rise can stabilize the foil acceleration. © 2007 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.065002
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.065002
PACS:
52.38.Kd, 52.27.Ny, 52.35.Py
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