High energy T-ray pulses from table-top laser driven Ion accelerators

We present the first experimental observation of energetic non-collinear T-rays (Terahertz pulses) from laser driven ion accelerators. The experimental and 2D Particle-In-Cell simulation results show that the observed T-rays are mostly emitted at large angles to the target normal. Two dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations point out that the emission originates from a micron-scale plasma sheath at the rear surface of the target, which is also responsible for the ion acceleration. This opens a perspective for the application of the T-ray detection for on-site diagnostic of particle acceleration in laser produced plasmas.