Efficient electron injection into plasma waves using higher-order laser modes

Journal Article · Wed Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2006 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2378627· OSTI ID:20860397

Michel, P; Esarey, E; Schroeder, C B; Shadwick, B A; Leemans, W P ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

Using higher-order transverse laser modes as drivers for plasma wave excitation, and, in particular, using ring laser beams with maximum intensities off-axis, results in reversal of the focusing and defocusing phase regions in a laser wakefield accelerator. This results in improved performance of self-trapping and laser injection schemes. Specifically, the trapping threshold required for optical injection is decreased and the maximum energy gain of the trapped electrons is increased. This method could also be of interest for the generation of ring electron beams or for beam conditioning.

• OSTI ID: 20860397
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 13, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2378627; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
ELECTRON BEAM INJECTION
ELECTRON BEAMS
EXCITATION
FOCUSING
GAIN
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
PLASMA GUNS
PLASMA WAVES
RING LASERS
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
TRAPPING
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS