Abstract
In this paper a new method of determining the energy spread of a relativistic electron beam from a laser-driven plasma wakefield accelerator by measuring radiation from an undulator is presented. This could be used to determine the beam characteristics of multi-GeV accelerators where conventional spectrometers are very large and cumbersome. Simultaneous measurement of the energy spectra of electrons from the wakefield accelerator in the 55-70 MeV range and the radiation spectra in the wavelength range of 700-900 nm of synchrotron radiation emitted from a 50 period undulator confirm a narrow energy spread for electrons accelerated over the dephasing distance where beam loading leads to energy compression. Measured energy spreads of less than 1% indicates the potential of using a wakefield accelerator as a driver of future compact and brilliant ultrashort pulse synchrotron sources and free-electron lasers that require high peak brightness beams.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | - |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Physics of Plasmas |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2009 |
Keywords
- plasma accelerators
- plasma diagnostics
- relativistic electron beams
- relativistic plasmas
- synchrotron radiation
- undulator radiation
- wakefield accelerators