Generation of ultrafast electron bunch trains via trapping into multiple periods of plasma wakefields
Abstract
We demonstrate a novel approach to the generation of femtosecond electron bunch trains via laser-driven wakefield acceleration. We use two independent high-intensity laser pulses, a drive, and an injector, each creating their own plasma wakes. The interaction of the laser pulses and their wakes results in a periodic injection of free electrons in the drive plasma wake via several mechanisms, including ponderomotive drift, wake-wake interference, and pre-acceleration of electrons directly by strong laser fields. Electron trains were generated with up to four quasi-monoenergetic bunches, each separated in time by a plasma period. The time profile of the generated trains is deduced from an analysis of beam loading and confirmed using 2D particle-in-cell simulations.
- Publication:
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Physics of Plasmas
- Pub Date:
- March 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.5141953
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2003.02798
- Bibcode:
- 2020PhPl...27c3105G
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Plasma Physics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Physics of Plasmas