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Persistent URL http://purl.org/net/epubs/work/52842
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Record Id 52842
Title Investigation of the role of plasma channels as waveguides for laser-wakefield accelerators
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Abstract The role of plasma channels as waveguides for laser-wakefield accelerators is discussed in terms of the results of experiments performed with the Astra-Gemini laser, numerical simulations using the code WAKE, and the theory of self-focusing and self-guiding of intense laser beams. It is found that at a given electron density, electron beams can be accelerated using lower laser powers in a waveguide structure than in a gas-jet or cell. The transition between relativistically self-guided and channel-assisted guiding is seen in the simulations and in the behaviour of the production of electron beams. We also show that by improving the quality of the driving laser beam the threshold laser energy required to produce electron beams can be reduced by a factor of almost 2. The use of an aperture allows the production of a quasi-monoenergetic electron beam of energy 520 MeV with an input laser power of only 30 TW.
Organisation CLF , CLF-HPL , CLF-ASTRA , STFC
Keywords Physics
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Language English (EN)
Type Details URI(s) Local file(s) Year
Journal Article New J Phys 12, no. 4 (2010): 045008. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/12/4/045008 1367-2630_12_4_045008.pdf 2010