Small energy spread electron beams from laser wakefield acceleration by self-evolved ionization injection. (24th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jinguang; Feng, Jie; Zhu, Changqing; Li, Yifei; He, Yuhang; Li, Dazhang; Tan, Junhao; Ma, Jinglong; Chen, Liming
• Is Part Of: Plasma physics and controlled fusion. Volume 60:Number 3(2018:Mar.)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-24
• Subjects: laser wakefield acceleration -- self-evolution -- quasi-mono-energetic electron -- ionization injection; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; Controlled fusion -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6587/aaa4dc
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-3335

Abstract

Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate generation of quasi-mono-energetic electrons from pure nitrogen gas via ionization injection induced by self-evolved laser pulses. By means of self-focusing and self-compression, we are able to reduce the injection length to 200 μ m and obtain the acceleration distance over several Rayleigh lengths that leads to the generation of quasi-mono-energetic electron beams with peak energy of 185 MeV and energy spread of 6%. This uncomplicated and maneuverable method suggests that the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with moderate energy ∼1 J with pure nitrogen gas is advantageous for achieving stable and small energy spread electron beam.