Charge equilibration of laser-accelerated carbon ions in a porous-structure foam target

The equilibrium charge state distribution of laser-accelerated carbon ions traversing a tri-cellulose-acetate (TCA, C9H16O8) foam target was measured experimentally. The ions were generated through the target normal sheath acceleration mechanism. This allowed us to obtain the equilibrium charge state for a wide energy range near the maximum energy loss within a single laser shot. The foam had a porous structure with 2 mg/cm3 volume density, which is between the typical density of gas- and solid-state matter. We found that the measured average equilibrium charge states were significantly underestimated by theoretical models applicable for gas targets, while were in close agreement with both semiempirical formulas and rate equation predictions based on ion-solid interactions. The solid-density fiber filaments in the current foam structure were attributed and demonstrated. The target density effects, which increase the ionization probability through frequent collisions and decrease the electron capture probability, were proven to play an important role in the foam target. Since the foam targets are widely used in laser plasma interaction experiments, our findings are relevant for a broad range of applications.