Exploring the Use of Graphene as a Target Material for Laser Plasma Ion Acceleration
The interaction of a solid target with an ultra-high intensity laser pulse can result in the laser plasma acceleration of ions. The recent proposal of a new laser plasma ion acceleration scheme, named chirped standing wave acceleration, has created interest in a new class of ultra-thin solid target materials, either freestanding or as a part of novel compound targets. In this thesis, it is assesse