Enhanced acceleration of injected electrons in a laser-beat-wave-induced plasma channel

Enhanced energy gain of externally injected electrons by a approximately 3 cm long, high-gradient relativistic plasma wave (RPW) is demonstrated. Using a CO2 laser beat wave of duration longer than the ion motion time across the laser spot size, a laser self-guiding process is initiated in a plasma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 92; no. 9; p. 095004
Main Authors Tochitsky, S Ya, Narang, R, Filip, C V, Musumeci, P, Clayton, C E, Yoder, R B, Marsh, K A, Rosenzweig, J B, Pellegrini, C, Joshi, C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 05.03.2004
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Summary:Enhanced energy gain of externally injected electrons by a approximately 3 cm long, high-gradient relativistic plasma wave (RPW) is demonstrated. Using a CO2 laser beat wave of duration longer than the ion motion time across the laser spot size, a laser self-guiding process is initiated in a plasma channel. Guiding compensates for ionization-induced defocusing (IID) creating a longer plasma, which extends the interaction length between electrons and the RPW. In contrast to a maximum energy gain of 10 MeV when IID is dominant, the electrons gain up to 38 MeV energy in a laser-beat-wave-induced plasma channel.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.92.095004