All-optical measurement of the hot electron sheath driving laser ion acceleration from thin foils

We present experimental results from an all-optical diagnostic method to directly measure the evolution of the hot-electron distribution driving the acceleration of ions from thin foils using high-intensity lasers. Central parameters of laser ion acceleration such as the hot-electron density, the temperature distribution and the conversion efficiency from laser pulse energy into hot electrons become comprehensively accessible with this technique. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.