Electron-Yield Enhancement in a Laser-Wakefield Accelerator Driven by Asymmetric Laser Pulses
Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: The effect of asymmetric laser pulses on electron yield from a laser wakefield accelerator has been experimentally studied using $>{10}^{19}\text{ }{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ plasmas and a 10 TW, $>45\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{f}\mathrm{s}$, $\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\ensuremath{\mathbin:}{\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{3}}$ 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.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2051455083