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Particle acceleration

Pushing protons with photons

The laser acceleration of ion beams usually relies on the use of strong electric fields generated by short, intense laser pulses. Scientists have now experimentally demonstrated that radiation pressure can also play a valuable role in this process.

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Norreys, P. Pushing protons with photons. Nature Photon 5, 134–135 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2011.29

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