Proton Focusing Characteristics Relevant to Fast Ignition

The properties of a proton beam can be investigated by using a stack of radiochromic film imaging the shadows of a mesh placed within the beam path. We present results of a laser-generated proton beam from hemispherical shell targets. The experimental data validate particle-in-cell hybrid modeling using the large-scale plasma code and lead to the understanding of proton focusing relevant to integrated-proton fast-ignition experiments.