Electron beam pointing stability of a laser wakefield accelerator

Issac, R.C. et al. (2009) Electron beam pointing stability of a laser wakefield accelerator. In: SPIE Conference on Harnessing Relativistic Plasma Waves as Novel Radiation Sources from Terahertz to X-rays and Beyond, Prague, Czech Republic, 21–23 Apr 2009, pp. 735915-1. (doi: 10.1117/12.822165)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.822165

Abstract

Electron acceleration using plasma waves driven by ultra-short relativistic intensity laser pulses has undoubtedly excellent potential for driving a compact light source. However, for a wakefield accelerator to become a useful and reliable compact accelerator the beam properties need to meet a minimum standard. To demonstrate the feasibility of a wakefield based radiation source we have reliably produced electron beams with energies of 82±5 MeV, with 1±0.2% energy spread and 3 mrad r.m.s. divergence using a 0.9 J, 35 fs 800 nm laser. Reproducible beam pointing is essential for transporting the beam along the electron beam line. We find experimentally that electrons are accelerated close to the laser axis at low plasma densities. However, at plasma densities in excess of 1019 cm-3, electron beams have an elliptical beam profile with the major axis of the ellipse rotated with respect to the direction of polarization of the laser.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shanks, Dr Richard
Authors: Issac, R.C., Vieux, G., Welsh, G.H., Shanks, R., Brunetti, E., Cipiccia, S., Anania, M.P., Yang, X., Wiggins, S.M., Islam, M.R., Ersfeld, B., Farmer, J., Raj, G., Chen, S., Clark, D., McCanny, T., and Jaroszynski, D.A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
ISSN:0277-786X

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record