1. Combined plasma lens and rephasing stage for a laser wakefield accelerator
- Author
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Cornelia Gustafsson, Erik Löfquist, Kristoffer Svendsen, Andrea Angella, Anders Persson, and Olle Lundh
- Subjects
Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Electrons from a laser wakefield accelerator have a limited energy gain due to dephasing and are prone to emittance growth, causing a large divergence. In this paper, we experimentally show that adjusting the plasma density profile can address both issues. Shock-assisted ionisation injection is used to produce 100 MeV quasi-monoenergetic electron bunches in the primary part of the accelerator. Downstream from the accelerator, a second, independently tuneable density region is added, which can be used to either boost the energy of the electron bunches or as a plasma lens for significant divergence reduction. An additional energy gain of 25% and a 40% divergence reduction are obtained. Theoretical models validate the effects.
- Published
- 2024
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