Betatron radiation from density tailored plasmas

Journal Article · Sat Apr 11 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physics of Plasmas

OSTI ID:971183

Ta Phuoc, Kim; Esarey, E; Leurent, V; Cormier-Michel, E; Geddes, C G.R.; Schroeder, C B; Rousse, A; Leemans, W P

In laser wakefield accelerators, electron motion is driven by intense forces that depend on the plasma density. Transverse oscillations in the accelerated electron orbits produce betatron radiation. The electron motion and the resulting betatron radiation spectrum can therefore be controlled by shaping the plasma density along the orbit of the electrons. Here, a method based on the use of a plasma with a longitudinal density variation (density depression or step) is proposed to increase the transverse oscillation amplitude and the energy of the electrons accelerated in a wakefield cavity. For fixed laser parameters, by appropriately tailoring the plasma profile, the betatron radiation emitted by these electrons is significantly increased in both flux and energy.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Accelerator& Fusion Research Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 971183
• Report Number(s): LBNL-2292E
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 15; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AMPLITUDES
BETATRONS
ELECTRONS
LASERS
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
RADIATIONS
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS