Three electron beams from a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator and the energy apportioning question

• DOI: 10.1038/srep43910
• Publication Date: 2017-03-10T10:12:16Z
• Authors: X. Yang; E. Brunetti; D. Reboredo Gil; G. H. Welsh; F. Y. Li; S. Cipiccia; B. Ersfeld; D. W. Grant; P. A. Grant; M. R. Islam; M. P. Tooley; G. Vieux; S. M. Wiggins; Z. M. Sheng; D. A. Jaroszynski
• Keywords: Plasma acceleration; Bunches

Abstract Laser-wakefield accelerators are compact devices capable of delivering ultra-short electron bunches with pC-level charge and MeV-GeV energy by exploiting the ultra-high electric fields arising from interaction intense laser pulses plasma. We show experimentally through numerical simulations that a high-energy beam is produced simultaneously two stable lower-energy beams ejected in oblique counter-propagating directions, typically carrying off 5–10% initial energy. A MeV, 10s nC 30°–60° hollow cone, which filled more energetic electrons determined injection dynamics. nC-level, 100s keV backward-directed mainly at leading edge plasma column. discuss apportioning absorbed amongst three beams. Knowledge distribution charge, determine overall efficiency, important for various applications laser-wakefield accelerators, including development staged accelerators.