Differential pumping for kHz operation of a laser wakefield accelerator based on a continuously flowing hydrogen gas jet
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Laser-Wakefield Accelerators (LWFAs) running at kHz repetition rates hold great potential for applications. They typically operate with low-energy, highly compressed laser pulses focused on high-pressure gas targets. Experiments have shown that the best-quality electron beams are achieved using hydrogen gas targets. However, continuous operation with hydrogen requires a dedicated pumping system. In this work, we present a method for designing a differential pumping system, which we successfully implemented in our experiments. This enabled the first demonstration of continuous operation of a kHz LWFA using a high-pressure hydrogen gas jet. The system effectively maintained a pressure below 3 × 10-4 mbar, even with a free-flowing gas jet operating at 140 bar backing pressure. Numerical fluid dynamics and optical simulations were used to guide and validate the system's design.
Source: Review of Scientific Instruments
DOI: 10.1063/5.0246912
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, École Polytechnique, École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées, Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées Paris, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vytautas Magnus University
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G125943603, G1477917006, G2616206784, Laser Plasma Electron Acceleration with kHz Lasers, G3276443318, The Integrated Initiative of European Laser Research Infrastructures, G4303546637, G434337789, G4656594441, G4937468798, Plasma Science and Training, G6335398897, G6356618607, G6956531571, Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology, G8306836627, The Integrated Initiative of European Laser Research Infrastructures, Elektronų greitinimas silpnai difraguojančiais ultratrumpų impulsų lazerio pluoštais su erdvine-laikine kompensacija, G8691683826
OpenAlex ID: W4409054373