One of the most active and innovative areas of laser and plasma science with challenging experimental and theoretical issues. [Rev. Mod. Phys. 85.2 (2013): 751]
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Welcome to the ENSURE project website!
ENSURE was a 5-year (2015-2020) multidisciplinary research project for the investigation of ion acceleration through the interaction between superintense laser pulses and nanostructured materials, funded by the European Research Council (Grant Agreement 647554) and hosted at the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano (Italy) under the supervision of the principal investigator prof. Matteo Passoni. Click on the button to find out more about the project!
This website is currently updated with the research in the wake of the ENSURE project, the related PoC project INTER and the recently approved PoC project PANTANI.
A multidisciplinary approach!
To achieve our goals, many experimental and theoretical challenges need to be faced within different fields of research in a multidisciplinary approach. Find out more about each of them.
Latest News
Press release on Politecnico di Milano’s website
The Politecnico di Milano published a press release on the …Read More »ENSURE has come to a successful end
After 5 years of fruitful work, the project ENSURE is …Read More »
Latest Publications
Maffini, A.; Ambrogioni, K.; Dellasega, D.; Galbiati, M.; Magistris, M. S. Galli De; Gatti, F.; Iaccarino, M.; Mallimaci, C.; Mirani, F.; Orecchia, D.; Russo, V.; Vavassori, D.; Passoni, M.
Nanofoam in action: a versatile tool for laser-plasma interaction experiments Journal Article
In: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, vol. 68, no. 035007, 2026.
@article{NanoInAction,
title = {Nanofoam in action: a versatile tool for laser-plasma interaction experiments},
author = {A. Maffini and K. Ambrogioni and D. Dellasega and M. Galbiati and M. S. Galli De Magistris and F. Gatti and M. Iaccarino and C. Mallimaci and F. Mirani and D. Orecchia and V. Russo and D. Vavassori and M. Passoni},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/ae44c8},
doi = {10.1088/1361-6587/ae44c8},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-03},
journal = {Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion},
volume = {68},
number = {035007},
abstract = {Low-density near-critical materials in laser-plasma interaction (LPI) stand out for their capability in enhancing the coupling between the laser radiation and the target. Indeed, they can be exploited for fundamental physics studies, optimised particle acceleration for practical applications, and inertial confinement fusion. However, the modelling of complex non-linear phenomena occurring during the interaction of these materials and high-intensity lasers, together with the accurate control and characterisation of their physical properties, are still object of intense research. In this context, near-critical nanofoams produced via pulsed laser deposition represent a promising option owing to the versatility and controllability of their deposition technique. In this paper, we report on our modelling and experimental activities related to laser-nanofoam interaction. In particular, we first present the deposition methodology, focusing on the production of nanofoams with controlled composition and morphology. Then, we show our numerical strategy to model the foam aggregation. We also discuss how the nanofoam morphology affects the LPI by integrating the realistic nanostructure in particle-in-cell simulations, focusing on various regimes of interaction. Lastly, we present examples of applications of nanofoam-based targets via numerical simulations and experiments, focusing also on the open issues for reaching the requirements for full-fledged applications. Our work demonstrates nanofoam-based targets as a versatile tool to effectively optimise and advance LPI physics.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Low-density near-critical materials in laser-plasma interaction (LPI) stand out for their capability in enhancing the coupling between the laser radiation and the target. Indeed, they can be exploited for fundamental physics studies, optimised particle acceleration for practical applications, and inertial confinement fusion. However, the modelling of complex non-linear phenomena occurring during the interaction of these materials and high-intensity lasers, together with the accurate control and characterisation of their physical properties, are still object of intense research. In this context, near-critical nanofoams produced via pulsed laser deposition represent a promising option owing to the versatility and controllability of their deposition technique. In this paper, we report on our modelling and experimental activities related to laser-nanofoam interaction. In particular, we first present the deposition methodology, focusing on the production of nanofoams with controlled composition and morphology. Then, we show our numerical strategy to model the foam aggregation. We also discuss how the nanofoam morphology affects the LPI by integrating the realistic nanostructure in particle-in-cell simulations, focusing on various regimes of interaction. Lastly, we present examples of applications of nanofoam-based targets via numerical simulations and experiments, focusing also on the open issues for reaching the requirements for full-fledged applications. Our work demonstrates nanofoam-based targets as a versatile tool to effectively optimise and advance LPI physics.
McNamee, A.; Kantarelou, V.; Nersisyan, G.; Milani, A.; Maffini, A.; Orecchia, D.; Martin, P.; Scisciò, M.; Giuffrida, L.; Consoli, F.; Kar, S.; Margarone, D.
Contaminant-free alpha particles signature from laser-driven proton-boron fusion plasma using Thomson parabola spectrometer Journal Article
In: Laser and Particle Beams, vol. 43, no. e8, 2025.
@article{nokeyi,
title = {Contaminant-free alpha particles signature from laser-driven proton-boron fusion plasma using Thomson parabola spectrometer},
author = {A. McNamee and V. Kantarelou and G. Nersisyan and A. Milani and A. Maffini and D. Orecchia and P. Martin and M. Scisciò and L. Giuffrida and F. Consoli and S. Kar and D. Margarone},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/lpb.2025.10005},
doi = {10.1017/lpb.2025.10005},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-09},
urldate = {2025-12-09},
journal = {Laser and Particle Beams},
volume = {43},
number = {e8},
abstract = {Accurate discrimination and energy measurement of alpha particles remain a key challenge in proton boron fusion driven by high-intensity laser-plasma interaction due to the complex mix of ions generated in these extreme conditions. We present a novel implementation of a high-accuracy, low-background technique involving a CR-39 enhanced image plate that was used with a Thomson parabola spectrometer (TPS) and differential filtering. This technique demonstrated a strong reduction in background contamination arising from plasma ions compared to standard CR-39 and allowed for the generation of a contaminant-free alpha particle energy spectrum from a boron foam target irradiated by a 10 J, 800 fs laser pulse with an intensity of . The laser pulse was from a hybrid Ti:Sapphire-Nd:glass system generated from the Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) mode. The spectrum covered an energy range of 3–8 MeV with a corresponding energy resolution of 0.1–0.5 MeV. The developed filtering technique has the potential to measure even lower energy ranges, further extending its applicability compared with existing methods. The differential filtering solution strongly reduces the signal from carbon ions that would otherwise overlap the alpha particle trace on the TPS, providing a quasi-contaminant-free signal, while the CR-39 enhanced the detection sensitivity compared to other detectors.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Accurate discrimination and energy measurement of alpha particles remain a key challenge in proton boron fusion driven by high-intensity laser-plasma interaction due to the complex mix of ions generated in these extreme conditions. We present a novel implementation of a high-accuracy, low-background technique involving a CR-39 enhanced image plate that was used with a Thomson parabola spectrometer (TPS) and differential filtering. This technique demonstrated a strong reduction in background contamination arising from plasma ions compared to standard CR-39 and allowed for the generation of a contaminant-free alpha particle energy spectrum from a boron foam target irradiated by a 10 J, 800 fs laser pulse with an intensity of . The laser pulse was from a hybrid Ti:Sapphire-Nd:glass system generated from the Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) mode. The spectrum covered an energy range of 3–8 MeV with a corresponding energy resolution of 0.1–0.5 MeV. The developed filtering technique has the potential to measure even lower energy ranges, further extending its applicability compared with existing methods. The differential filtering solution strongly reduces the signal from carbon ions that would otherwise overlap the alpha particle trace on the TPS, providing a quasi-contaminant-free signal, while the CR-39 enhanced the detection sensitivity compared to other detectors.
Mirani, F.; Ambrogioni, K.; Maffini, A.; Gatti, F.; Magistris, M. S. Galli De; Galbiati, M.; Vavassori, D.; Orecchia, D.; Rastelli, D.; Mazzucconi, D.; Dellasega, D.; Russo, V.; Henares, J. L.; Morabito, A.; Pérez-Hernández, J.; Apiñaniz, J. I.; Ehret, M.; Cebriano, T.; Volpe, L.; Pola, A.; Passoni, M.
Addressing the role of advanced targets for enhanced control of laser-driven hadron sources Journal Article
In: Physical Review Applied, vol. 24, no. 014017, 2025.
@article{nokeyh,
title = {Addressing the role of advanced targets for enhanced control of laser-driven hadron sources},
author = {F. Mirani and K. Ambrogioni and A. Maffini and F. Gatti and M. S. Galli De Magistris and M. Galbiati and D. Vavassori and D. Orecchia and D. Rastelli and D. Mazzucconi and D. Dellasega and V. Russo and J. L. Henares and A. Morabito and J. Pérez-Hernández and J. I. Apiñaniz and M. Ehret and T. Cebriano and L. Volpe and A. Pola and M. Passoni},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1103/vh27-ztj1},
doi = {10.1103/vh27-ztj1},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-09},
journal = {Physical Review Applied},
volume = {24},
number = {014017},
abstract = {Advanced target production methods and characterization strategies can help unlock the application potential of laser-driven particle sources based on solid targets. Such compact multiradiation sources show great potential both in fundamental physics studies and application-oriented scenarios like nuclear medicine and materials science, but observation of their expected properties is often impeded by setup limitations like lack of control and uncertainties of target parameters. Here, we report on laser-driven proton acceleration and neutron generation at the high-intensity VEGA-3 laser, using targets fabricated with physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques and characterized with advanced procedures. Magnetron sputtering enables the production of solid foils with reduced thickness variability, while pulsed-laser deposition allows for the production of low-density layers to enhance laser absorption. Accurate target characterization is achieved with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. A calibrated magnetic spectrometer and a DIAMON detector are employed to monitor protons and neutrons. Our PVD single-layer targets show a reduced thickness uncertainty with respect to commercial ones and, since solid target thickness affects hadron acceleration and generation, they guaranteed an improvement in the achievable maximum particle energy. Moreover, optimizing laser-target coupling by adding a low-density layer on top of PVD-produced solid foils with PLD allowed us to get a further improvement in particle energy. Our work, focusing on the effect of target-related variables on laser-driven hadron sources, highlights the relevance of target manufacturing and characterization for the future applications of laser-driven sources.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Advanced target production methods and characterization strategies can help unlock the application potential of laser-driven particle sources based on solid targets. Such compact multiradiation sources show great potential both in fundamental physics studies and application-oriented scenarios like nuclear medicine and materials science, but observation of their expected properties is often impeded by setup limitations like lack of control and uncertainties of target parameters. Here, we report on laser-driven proton acceleration and neutron generation at the high-intensity VEGA-3 laser, using targets fabricated with physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques and characterized with advanced procedures. Magnetron sputtering enables the production of solid foils with reduced thickness variability, while pulsed-laser deposition allows for the production of low-density layers to enhance laser absorption. Accurate target characterization is achieved with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. A calibrated magnetic spectrometer and a DIAMON detector are employed to monitor protons and neutrons. Our PVD single-layer targets show a reduced thickness uncertainty with respect to commercial ones and, since solid target thickness affects hadron acceleration and generation, they guaranteed an improvement in the achievable maximum particle energy. Moreover, optimizing laser-target coupling by adding a low-density layer on top of PVD-produced solid foils with PLD allowed us to get a further improvement in particle energy. Our work, focusing on the effect of target-related variables on laser-driven hadron sources, highlights the relevance of target manufacturing and characterization for the future applications of laser-driven sources.