This study investigates the efficiency of direct laser acceleration (DLA) in high-Z plasma plumes, revealing that high atomic number materials are essential for maintaining ionization electron injection during laser pulse peak intensity. The research demonstrates that low-Z targets lead to premature depletion of ionization electrons, reducing DLA efficiency. By using high-Z targets like gold, the team achieved significantly higher electron temperatures and improved DLA performance. The study also shows that the electron beam temperature peaks when the plasma density approaches its critical value, and that the use of pre-pulses and controlled expansion times enhances beam stability and energy conversion efficiency. The results indicate that high-Z plumes allow for more efficient DLA, leading to higher neutron yields, which are crucial for various applications. The study combines experimental and numerical methods, including particle-in-cell simulations, to understand the dynamics of DLA and its dependence on plasma properties. The findings suggest that optimizing laser parameters and target materials can significantly enhance DLA performance, making it a promising technique for generating high-energy particle beams and photonuclear reactions.This study investigates the efficiency of direct laser acceleration (DLA) in high-Z plasma plumes, revealing that high atomic number materials are essential for maintaining ionization electron injection during laser pulse peak intensity. The research demonstrates that low-Z targets lead to premature depletion of ionization electrons, reducing DLA efficiency. By using high-Z targets like gold, the team achieved significantly higher electron temperatures and improved DLA performance. The study also shows that the electron beam temperature peaks when the plasma density approaches its critical value, and that the use of pre-pulses and controlled expansion times enhances beam stability and energy conversion efficiency. The results indicate that high-Z plumes allow for more efficient DLA, leading to higher neutron yields, which are crucial for various applications. The study combines experimental and numerical methods, including particle-in-cell simulations, to understand the dynamics of DLA and its dependence on plasma properties. The findings suggest that optimizing laser parameters and target materials can significantly enhance DLA performance, making it a promising technique for generating high-energy particle beams and photonuclear reactions.