Generation of high energy and well-collimated ion beams by laser-driven magnetized electron sheath acceleration with kilotesla magnetic fields*

Recent progress in laser-driven magnetic field generation enables using kilotesla-level fields to influence hot electron transport over the length and time scales relevant to sheath-based ion acceleration. I will present 2D and 3D particle-in-cell simulations demonstrating that the magnetic field can beneficially alter the topology of the sheath electric field compared to conventional target normal sheath acceleration. In particular, the magnetization of hot electrons creates a robust focusing effect that can produce high energy, well-collimated beams of multiple ion species.