Mapping laser-to-ion correlations with a multiphysics model for laser-driven particle acceleration

A computational model is presented that quantitatively maps the relationship between laser parameters and the resulting proton and ion beam characteristics in laser-driven particle acceleration. Building on a validated multiphysics framework that self-consistently couples heat transfer, hydrodynamics, and electromagnetic field dynamics, this study constructs correlation maps linking laser initial conditions—such as intensity and contrast—to the energy and angular divergence of accelerated protons and carbon ions. The model captures the complete laser–target interaction sequence, including preplasma evolution and sheath field formation, enabling accurate prediction of beam quality across a broad range of experimental conditions. These results provide a data-driven approach for optimizing laser setups and tailoring ion beam properties for targeted applications in cancer therapy, semiconductor and quantum material manufacturing, and materials testing under extreme conditions.