Optimization of ultrafast laser generated low-energy ion beams from silicon targets

Abstract : We demonstrate the possibility to manipulate the kinetic properties of ion beams generated by ultrafast laser ablation of silicon. The versatility in regulating the sub-keV ion flux is achieved by implementing adaptive control of the temporal shape of incident laser pulses. Tunable characteristics for the charged beams are obtained using excitation synchronized with the phase-transformation dynamics, exploiting transitions to volatile fluid states with minimal energetic expenses.