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Matched Guiding and Controlled Injection in Dark-Current-Free, 10-GeV-Class, Channel-Guided Laser-Plasma Accelerators
Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 255001 – Published 18 December, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.255001
Abstract
We measure the high-intensity laser propagation throughout meter-scale, channel-guided laser-plasma accelerators by adjusting the length of the plasma channel on a shot-by-shot basis, showing high-quality guiding of 500 TW laser pulses over 30 cm in a hydrogen plasma of density . We observed transverse energy transport of higher-order modes in the first of the plasma channel, followed by quasimatched propagation, and the gradual, dark-current-free depletion of laser energy to the wake. We quantify the laser-to-wake transfer efficiency limitations of currently available petawatt-class lasers and demonstrate via simulation how control over the laser mode can significantly improve beam parameters. Using 21.3 J of laser energy, and triggering localized electron injection, we observed electron bunches with single, quasimonoenergetic peaks up to 9.2 GeV with charge extending beyond 10 GeV.
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Viewpoint
Electrons Channel Surf to Ultrahigh Energies
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