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Journal ArticleDOI

MeV electron acceleration at 1 kHz with <10 mJ laser pulses

15 Jan 2017-Optics Letters (Optical Society of America)-Vol. 42, Iss: 2, pp 215-218
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate laser-driven acceleration of electrons to MeV-scale energies at 1 kHz repetition rate using 1 1/2 MeV energy for both He and H2 gas jets.
Abstract: We demonstrate laser-driven acceleration of electrons to MeV-scale energies at 1 kHz repetition rate using 1 MeV energy for both He and H2 gas jets.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The STEAM device demonstrates the feasibility of terahertz-based electron accelerators, manipulators and diagnostic tools, enabling science beyond current resolution frontiers with transformative impact.
Abstract: Acceleration and manipulation of electron bunches underlie most electron and X-ray devices used for ultrafast imaging and spectroscopy. New terahertz-driven concepts offer orders-of-magnitude improvements in field strengths, field gradients, laser synchronization and compactness relative to conventional radiofrequency devices, enabling shorter electron bunches and higher resolution with less infrastructure while maintaining high charge capacities (pC), repetition rates (kHz) and stability. We present a segmented terahertz electron accelerator and manipulator (STEAM) capable of performing multiple high-field operations on the six-dimensional phase space of ultrashort electron bunches. With this single device, powered by few-microjoule, single-cycle, 0.3 THz pulses, we demonstrate record terahertz acceleration of >30 keV, streaking with 2 kT m–1 strength, compression to ~100 fs as well as real-time switching between these modes of operation. The STEAM device demonstrates the feasibility of terahertz-based electron accelerators, manipulators and diagnostic tools, enabling science beyond current resolution frontiers with transformative impact.

236 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
20 Dec 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate linear generation and propagation in free space of spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs) carrying pulses, and simulations demonstrate STOV mediation of space-time energy flow within the pulse and conservation of OAM in spacetime.
Abstract: Spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs) are a new type of optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) with optical phase circulation in space–time. In prior work [Phys. Rev. X.6, 031037 (2016)PRXHAE2160-330810.1103/PhysRevX.6.031037], we demonstrated that a STOV is a universal structure emerging from the arrest of self-focusing collapse leading to nonlinear self-guiding in material media. Here, we demonstrate linear generation and propagation in free space of STOV-carrying pulses. Our measurements and simulations demonstrate STOV mediation of space–time energy flow within the pulse and conservation of OAM in space–time. Single-shot amplitude and phase images of STOVs are taken using a new diagnostic, transient grating single-shot supercontinuum spectral interferometry.

82 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a low energy and high repetition rate laser system was used to accelerate the laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) to the resonant blowout regime with peak energy distributions in the few MeV range and relatively narrow divergence angles.
Abstract: We report on recent progress on laser-plasma acceleration using a low energy and high-repetition rate laser system. Using only few milliJoule laser energy, in conjunction with extremely short pulses composed of a single optical cycle, we demonstrate that the laser-plasma accelerator ( LPA) can be operated close to the resonant blowout regime. This results in the production of high charge electron beams (> 10 pC) with peaked energy distributions in the few MeV range and relatively narrow divergence angles. We highlight the importance of the plasma density profile and gas jet design for the performance of the LPA. In this extreme regime of relativistic laser-plasma interaction with near-single-cycle laser pulses, we find that the effect of group velocity dispersion and carrier envelope phase can no longer be neglected. These advances bring LPAs closer to real scientific applications in ultrafast probing.

74 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new highly tunable technique for generating meter-scale low density plasma waveguides that can enable laser-driven electron acceleration to tens of GeV in a single stage is demonstrated.
Abstract: We demonstrate a new highly tunable technique for generating meter-scale low density plasma waveguides. Such guides can enable laser-driven electron acceleration to tens of GeV in a single stage. Plasma waveguides are imprinted in hydrogen gas by optical field ionization induced by two time-separated Bessel beam pulses: The first pulse, a J_{0} beam, generates the core of the waveguide, while the delayed second pulse, here a J_{8} or J_{16} beam, generates the waveguide cladding, enabling wide control of the guide's density, depth, and mode confinement. We demonstrate guiding of intense laser pulses over hundreds of Rayleigh lengths with on-axis plasma densities as low as N_{e0}∼5×10^{16} cm^{-3}.

54 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an intense electromagnetic pulse can create a weak of plasma oscillations through the action of the nonlinear ponderomotive force, and electrons trapped in the wake can be accelerated to high energy.
Abstract: An intense electromagnetic pulse can create a weak of plasma oscillations through the action of the nonlinear ponderomotive force. Electrons trapped in the wake can be accelerated to high energy. Existing glass lasers of power density ${10}^{18}$W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ shone on plasmas of densities ${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ can yield gigaelectronvolts of electron energy per centimeter of acceleration distance. This acceleration mechanism is demonstrated through computer simulation. Applications to accelerators and pulsers are examined.

3,867 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the basic physics of laser pulse evolution in underdense plasmas is also reviewed, including the propagation, self-focusing, and guiding of laser pulses in uniform density channels and with preformed density channels.
Abstract: Laser-driven plasma-based accelerators, which are capable of supporting fields in excess of 100 GV/m, are reviewed. This includes the laser wakefield accelerator, the plasma beat wave accelerator, the self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator, plasma waves driven by multiple laser pulses, and highly nonlinear regimes. The properties of linear and nonlinear plasma waves are discussed, as well as electron acceleration in plasma waves. Methods for injecting and trapping plasma electrons in plasma waves are also discussed. Limits to the electron energy gain are summarized, including laser pulse diffraction, electron dephasing, laser pulse energy depletion, and beam loading limitations. The basic physics of laser pulse evolution in underdense plasmas is also reviewed. This includes the propagation, self-focusing, and guiding of laser pulses in uniform plasmas and with preformed density channels. Instabilities relevant to intense short-pulse laser-plasma interactions, such as Raman, self-modulation, and hose instabilities, are discussed. Experiments demonstrating key physics, such as the production of high-quality electron bunches at energies of 0.1-1 GeV, are summarized.

2,108 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A detailed comparison between experiment and simulation indicates the sensitivity in this regime of the guiding and acceleration in the plasma structure to input intensity, density, and near-field laser mode profile.
Abstract: A laser-driven particle accelerator, delivering a beam of electrons with a record-breaking energy of 4.2 giga-electron-volts, could lead to compact x-ray lasers or high-energy colliders.

867 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the self-focusing of relativistically intense laser light pulses is analyzed, where the pulse length is short enough that ion inertia prevents any significant motion of ions.
Abstract: The self‐focusing of relativistically intense laser light pulses is analyzed, where the pulse length is short enough that ion inertia prevents any significant motion of ions. Self‐focusing occurs as a result of an increase of the wave refractive index arising from two effects: the mass increase of electrons caused by their relativistic quiver velocity in the light wave, and the reduction of the electron density as a result of ponderomotive force expulsion of the electrons. The latter effect is significant even for rather small values of (P−PL)/PL, where P is the laser beam power and PL is the critical power above which self‐focusing occurs. In fact, for (P−PL)/PL≳0.1 the effect is so strong that all electrons are expelled within a core radial region of the self‐focused laser light channel (this new phenomenon is called electron cavitation).

537 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a 1.053-μm, 1-psec Nd:glass laser was used to study the ionization of noble gases in the tunneling regime.
Abstract: Laser ionization of noble gases was studied with a 1.053-μm, 1-psec Nd:glass laser. A systematic scan of intensities from mid-1013 W/cm2 to mid-1016 W/cm2 was performed, resulting in the production of charge states as high as Xe12+. Ionization occurs exclusively in the tunneling regime. We compare experimental ion production rates with those predicted by several different theories. Agreement between experimental ion-production curves and theoretical predictions is good for two theoretical models: (1) an elaboration of the Keldysh tunneling model, developed by Ammosov et al. [ Sov. Phys. JETP64, 1191 ( 1986)] and (2) a much more primitive model, based on Coulomb-barrier suppression, in which tunneling and other quantum-mechanical effects are ignored completely. The success of the more primitive model suggests that a new term, barrier-suppression ionization, rather than tunneling or multiphoton ionization, may be the most appropriate at this wavelength and in this range of intensities.

416 citations