Filamented proton beams from the rear surface of target irradiated by fs laser

Proton emission patterns from the rear surface of targets irradiated by 60fs laser pulse at different intensity have been studied. The filaments of protons emission from 20μm Cu target were observed in the shots with lower laser intensity (about 2×1017W/cm2). As the laser intensity increased up to about 1×1018W/cm2 for the same target thickness, the filaments of proton beam disappeared and a hollow proton beam emerged. The patterns of proton beams revealed the traverse distribution of hot electrons reached the rear surface of target after a long distance transportation from the front surface of target. In this process, Weibel instability will drive electron beam into hollow structure and break into filaments in the end.