In this thesis, proton beams accelerated during the interaction of a high-intensity laser pulse with a thin foil were characterised. A systematic variation of the foil thickness and the duration of the laser prepulse due to amplified spontaneous emission allowed a clear distinction between the two dominant acceleration mechanisms for protons. This interpretation was backed up by numerical simulations taking into account the influence of the laser prepulse, the electron transport inside the foil and the proton acceleration.
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In this thesis, proton beams accelerated during the interaction of a high-intensity laser pulse with a thin foil were characterised. A systematic variation of the foil thickness and the duration of the laser prepulse due to amplified spontaneous emission allowed a clear distinction between the two dominant acceleration mechanisms for protons. This interpretation was backed up by numerical simulations taking into account the influence of the laser prepulse, the electron transport inside the foil...
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