Understanding the scaling of laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) is crucial to the design of potential future systems. A number of computational and theoretical studies have predicted scalings with laser power for various parameters, but experimental studies have typically been limited to small parameter ranges. Here, we detail extensive measurements of LWFA experiments conducted over a considerable range in power from 20 to 110 TW, which allows for a greater plasma density range and for a large number of data points. These measurements include scalings of the electron beam charge and maximum energy as functions of density as well as injection threshold density, beam charge, and total beam energy as functions of laser power. The observed scalings are consistent with theoretical understandings of operation in the bubble regime.
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June 2012
Research Article|
June 22 2012
Experimental laser wakefield acceleration scalings exceeding 100 TW Available to Purchase
C. McGuffey;
C. McGuffey
a)
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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T. Matsuoka;
T. Matsuoka
b)
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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S. Kneip;
S. Kneip
2
The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London
, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
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W. Schumaker;
W. Schumaker
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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F. Dollar;
F. Dollar
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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C. Zulick;
C. Zulick
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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V. Chvykov;
V. Chvykov
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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G. Kalintchenko;
G. Kalintchenko
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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V. Yanovsky;
V. Yanovsky
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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A. Maksimchuk;
A. Maksimchuk
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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A. G. R. Thomas;
A. G. R. Thomas
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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K. Krushelnick;
K. Krushelnick
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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Z. Najmudin
Z. Najmudin
2
The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London
, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
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C. McGuffey
1,a)
T. Matsuoka
1,b)
S. Kneip
2
W. Schumaker
1
F. Dollar
1
C. Zulick
1
V. Chvykov
1
G. Kalintchenko
1
V. Yanovsky
1
A. Maksimchuk
1
A. G. R. Thomas
1
K. Krushelnick
1
Z. Najmudin
2
1
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, The University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
2
The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London
, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
a)
Present address: HEDP Group, The University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, USA. Electronic mail: [email protected].
b)
Present address: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Kanagawa 2525210, Japan.
Phys. Plasmas 19, 063113 (2012)
Article history
Received:
October 26 2011
Accepted:
May 10 2012
Citation
C. McGuffey, T. Matsuoka, S. Kneip, W. Schumaker, F. Dollar, C. Zulick, V. Chvykov, G. Kalintchenko, V. Yanovsky, A. Maksimchuk, A. G. R. Thomas, K. Krushelnick, Z. Najmudin; Experimental laser wakefield acceleration scalings exceeding 100 TW. Phys. Plasmas 1 June 2012; 19 (6): 063113. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4729659
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