Propagation of intense laser pulses in plasma with a prepared phase-space distribution

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Abstract

Optimizing the laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA) requires control of the intense driving laser pulse and its stable propagation. This is usually challenging because of mode mismatching arising from relativistic self-focusing, which invariably alters the velocity and shape of the laser pulse. Here we show how an intense pre-pulse can prepare the momentum/density phase-space distribution of plasma electrons encountered by a trailing laser pulse to control its propagation. This can also be used to minimize the evolution of the wakefield thus enhancing the stability of the LWFA, which is important for applications.
Original languageEnglish
Article number20368
Number of pages9
JournalScientific Reports
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Nov 2022

Keywords

  • laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA)
  • stability
  • propagation
  • pre-pulse
  • intense laser pulses

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