Frequency chirp and pulse shape effects in self-modulated laser wakefield accelerators
The effect of asymmetric laser pulses on plasma wave excitation in a self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator is examined. Laser pulse shape and frequency chirp asymmetries, controlled experimentally in the laser system through a grating pair compressor, are shown to strongly enhance measured electron yields for certain asymmetries. It is shown analytically that a positive (negative) frequency chirp enhances (suppresses) the growth rate of the Raman forward scattering and near-forward Raman sidescatter instabilities, but is of minimal importance for the experimental parameters. Temporal laser pulse shapes with fast rise times (< plasma period) are shown to generate larger wakes (compared to slow rise time pulses) which seed the growth of the plasma wave, resulting in enhanced electron yield.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics. Division of High Energy Physics (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 816357
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-52176; PHPAEN; R&D Project: 455401; TRN: US0304990
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 10, Issue 5; Other Information: Journal Publication Date: May 2003; PBD: 7 Nov 2002; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Electron yield enhancement in a laser wakefield accelerator driven by asymmetric laser pulses
Effect of pulse profile and chirp on a laser wakefield generation