Generation of Stable, Low-Divergence Electron Beams by Laser-Wakefield Acceleration in a Steady-State-Flow Gas Cell

Authors

J. Osterhoff, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
A. Popp, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
Zs. Major, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
B. Marx, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
T.P. Rowlands-Ree, University of Oxford
Matthias Fuchs, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
M. Geissler, Queen's University - Belfast
R. Horlein, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
B. Hidding, Heinrich-Heine-Universitat Dusseldorf
S. Becker, Sektion Physik der Ludwig-Maximilians- Universitat Munchen
E.A. Peralta, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
U. Schramm, Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
F. Gruner, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
D. Habs, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
F. Krausz, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik
Simon M. Hooker, University of OxfordFollow
Stefan Karsh, Max-Planck-Institut für QuantenoptikFollow

Date of this Version

8-2008

Document Type

Article

Citation

Physical Review Letters 101, 085002 (2008); DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.085002

Comments

Copyright 2008 The American Physical Society. Used by permission.

Abstract

Laser-driven, quasimonoenergetic electron beams of up to ~200 MeV in energy have been observed from steady-state-flow fas cells. These beams emitted within a low-divergence cone of 2.1 ± 0.5 mrad FWHM display unprecedented shot-to-shot stability in energy (2.5% rms), pointing (1.4 mrad rms), and charge (16% rms) owing to a highly reproducible gas-density profile within the interaction volume. Laser-wakefield acceleration in gas cells of this type provides a simple and reliable source of relativistic electrons suitable for applications such as the production of extreme-ultraviolet undulator radiation.