Effect of the laser wavefront in a laser-plasma accelerator
2015
A high repetition rate electron source was generated by tightly focusing kHz, few-mJ
laserpulses into an underdense plasma. This high intensity
laser-plasma interaction led to stable electron beams over several hours but with strikingly complex transverse distributions even for good quality
laserfocal
spots.
Analysisof the experimental data, along with results of PIC simulations demonstrate the role of the
laser
wavefronton the acceleration of electrons. Distortions of the
laser
wavefrontcause spatial inhomogeneities in the out-of-focus
laserdistribution and consequently, the
laserpulse drives an inhomogenous transverse wakefield whose focusing/defocusing properties affect the electron distribution. These findings explain the experimental results and suggest the possibility of controlling the electron spatial distribution in
laser-
plasma acceleratorsby tailoring the
laser
wavefront.
Keywords:
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Correction
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