Laser-generated plasmas by graphene nanoplatelets embedded into polyethylene

Graphene micrometric particles have been embedded into polyethylene at different concentrations by using chemical-physical processes. The synthesized material was characterized in terms of mechanical and optical properties, and Raman spectroscopy. Obtained targets were irradiated by using a Nd:YAG laser at intensities of the order of 10(10) W/cm(2) to generate non-equilibrium plasma expanding in vacuum. The laser-matter interaction produces charge separation effects with consequent acceleration of protons and carbon ions. Plasma was characterized using time-of-flight measurements of the accelerated ions. Applications of the produced targets in order to generate carbon and proton ion beams from laser-generated plasma are presented and discussed.