Electron-yield enhancement in a Laser-Wakefield accelerator driven by asymmetric laser pulses

Journal Article · Mon Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2002 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.174802· OSTI ID:806107

Leemans, W P; Catravas, P; Esarey, E; Geddes, C G.R.; Toth, C; Trines, R; Schroeder, C B; Shadwick, B A; van Tilborg, J; Faure, J

The effect of asymmetric laser pulses on electron yield from a laser Wakefield accelerator has been experimentally studied using > 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3} plasmas and a 10 TW, >45 fs, Ti:Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} laser. The laser pulse shape was controlled through nonlinear chirp with a grating pair compressor. Pulses (76 fs FWHM) with a steep rise and positive chirp were found to significantly enhance the electron yield compared to pulses with a gentle rise and negative chirp. Theory and simulation show that fast rising pulses can generate larger amplitude wakes that seed the growth of the self-modulation instability, and that frequency chirp is of minimal importance for the experimental parameters.

• 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: 806107
• Report Number(s): LBNL-49856; PRLTAO; R&D Project: 455401; B& R KA0403011; TRN: US0301145
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 89, Issue 17; Other Information: Journal Publication Date: October 21, 2002; PBD: 21 Oct 2002; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ACCELERATORS
AMPLITUDES
ELECTRONS
INSTABILITY
LASERS
SEEDS
SHAPE
SIMULATION
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS
LASER WAKEFIELD ACCELERATION