2 research outputs found
Electron bunch generation from a plasma photocathode
Plasma waves generated in the wake of intense, relativistic laser or particle
beams can accelerate electron bunches to giga-electronvolt (GeV) energies in
centimetre-scale distances. This allows the realization of compact accelerators
having emerging applications, ranging from modern light sources such as the
free-electron laser (FEL) to energy frontier lepton colliders. In a plasma
wakefield accelerator, such multi-gigavolt-per-metre (GV m) wakefields
can accelerate witness electron bunches that are either externally injected or
captured from the background plasma. Here we demonstrate optically triggered
injection and acceleration of electron bunches, generated in a multi-component
hydrogen and helium plasma employing a spatially aligned and synchronized laser
pulse. This ''plasma photocathode'' decouples injection from wake excitation by
liberating tunnel-ionized helium electrons directly inside the plasma cavity,
where these cold electrons are then rapidly boosted to relativistic velocities.
The injection regime can be accessed via optical density down-ramp injection,
is highly tunable and paves the way to generation of electron beams with
unprecedented low transverse emittance, high current and 6D-brightness. This
experimental path opens numerous prospects for transformative plasma wakefield
accelerator applications based on ultra-high brightness beams
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Electron bunch generation from a plasma photocathode
Plasma waves generated in the wake of intense, relativistic laser or particle
beams can accelerate electron bunches to giga-electronvolt (GeV) energies in
centimetre-scale distances. This allows the realization of compact accelerators
having emerging applications, ranging from modern light sources such as the
free-electron laser (FEL) to energy frontier lepton colliders. In a plasma
wakefield accelerator, such multi-gigavolt-per-metre (GV m) wakefields
can accelerate witness electron bunches that are either externally injected or
captured from the background plasma. Here we demonstrate optically triggered
injection and acceleration of electron bunches, generated in a multi-component
hydrogen and helium plasma employing a spatially aligned and synchronized laser
pulse. This ''plasma photocathode'' decouples injection from wake excitation by
liberating tunnel-ionized helium electrons directly inside the plasma cavity,
where these cold electrons are then rapidly boosted to relativistic velocities.
The injection regime can be accessed via optical density down-ramp injection,
is highly tunable and paves the way to generation of electron beams with
unprecedented low transverse emittance, high current and 6D-brightness. This
experimental path opens numerous prospects for transformative plasma wakefield
accelerator applications based on ultra-high brightness beams