Enhancement in coupling efficiency from laser to forward hot electrons by conical nanolayered targets

Abstract

To improve the energy coupling efficiency from laser to forward hot electrons, we propose a conical nanolayered target (CNT) and investigate by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Compared with nanolayered target, the energy coupling efficiency is enhanced from 34% to more than 68%. Detailed simulations indicate that this enhancement is attributed to both oblique incidence and focusing of the conical target. Moreover, CNT collimates the hot electrons better. The proposed target may serve as a new method for enhancing laser to forward hot electrons energy coupling efficiency.