Laser wakefield-accelerated multi-GeV electrons using the Texas Petawatt Laser

ORAL

Abstract

Interaction of intense laser pulse and underdense plasma is a promising source for generating multi-GeV electrons beams within the compact confines of the lab. The quality of the electron beam, stability of the electron generation, and scalability to higher energies, are some of the challenges that are being met. We report on a laser wakefield acceleration experiment taking advantage of the powerful Texas Petawatt laser, and using relatively low plasma density together with ionization induced injection, to accelerate electrons. Self-focusing and self-guiding of the laser beam, self-injection and trapping of electrons, and some approaches to diagnostics of accelerated electrons are discussed.

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Authors

  • Neil Fazel

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Rafal Zgadzaj

    • University of Texas at Austin
    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Xiaoming Wang

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin
    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712

  • Watson Henderson

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Peng Dong

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Richard Korzekwa

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Richard Korzekwa

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin
    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712

  • Hai-En Tsai

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Austin Yi

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Vladimir Khudik

    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin

  • Serguei Kalmykov

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Gillis Dyer

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Erhard Gaul

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Aaron Bernstein

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Mikael Martinez

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Ted Borger

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Franki Aymond

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Doug Hammond

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • R. Escamilla

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Srdjan Marijanovic

    • Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin

  • Gennady Shvets

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Todd Ditmire

    • University of Texas at Austin

  • Mike Downer

    • University of Texas at Austin
    • Dept. of Physics, UT Austin
    • Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712