Dynamics of electron bunches at the laser–plasma interaction in the bubble regime

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 829; pp. 422 - 425
• Main Authors: Maslov, V.I., Svystun, O.M., Onishchenko, I.N., Tkachenko, V.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Acceleration; Accelerators; Bubble regime; Bubbles; Dynamics; Electron bunch dynamics; Electron self-injection; Gain; Laser plasma interactions; Laser wakefield acceleration; Lasers; Particle in cell technique; Particle-in-cell simulation; Plasma wakefield acceleration; Plasma wakefield acceleration; Laser wakefield acceleration; Electron bunch dynamics; Particle-in-cell simulation; Bubble regime; Electron self-injection
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2016.04.018

The multi-bunches self-injection, observed in laser–plasma accelerators in the bubble regime, affects the energy gain of electrons accelerated by laser wakefield. However, understanding of dynamics of the electron bunches formed at laser–plasma interaction may be challenging. We present here the results of fully relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of laser wakefield acceleration driven by a short laser pulse in an underdense plasma. The trapping and acceleration of three witness electron bunches by the bubble-like structures were observed. It has been shown that with time the first two witness bunches turn into drivers and contribute to acceleration of the last witness bunch.