Electron beam properties in self-modulated laser wakefield acceleration using TW and sub-TW pulses

We review the fundamentals of electron beam generation in self-modulated laser wakefield acceleration (SM-LWFA) using laser pulses with peak powers on the TW and sub-TW scale. The results of several new particle-in-cell simulations for λ = 0.8 µm and a thin H2 gas target are shown. By scanning the peak gas density and peak power values of the incident laser, we discuss the resulting acceleration processes, as well as the characteristics of the electron beams generated for different conditions. Our approach provides a method to optimize these beams with lasers operating at kHz repetition rates.