Fabrication of nanostructured targets for improved laser-driven proton acceleration

n this work, we present a novel realization of nanostructured targets suitable forimproving laser-driven proton acceleration experiments, in particular with regard to theTarget-Normal-Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) acceleration mechanism. The nanostructuredtargets, produced asfilms, are realized by a simpler and cheaper method than usingconventional lithographic techniques. The growth process includes a two step approach forthe production of the gold nanoparticle layers: 1) Laser Ablation in Solution and 2) spray-dry technique using a colloidal solution on target surfaces (Aluminum, Mylar and MultiWalled Carbon Nanotube). The obtained nanostructuredfilms appear, at morphologicaland chemical analysis, uniformly nanostructured and the nanostructure distributed on thetarget surfaces without presence of oxides or external contaminants. The obtained targetsshow a broad optical absorption in all the visible region and a surface roughness that istwo times greater than non-nanostructured targets, enabling a greater laser energy ab-sorption during the laser-matter interaction experiments producing the laser-drivenproton acceleration