Single-Shot Visualization of Evolving Laser Wakefields Using an All-Optical Streak Camera

Zhengyan Li, Hai-En Tsai, Xi Zhang, Chih-Hao Pai, Yen-Yu Chang, Rafal Zgadzaj, Xiaoming Wang, V. Khudik, G. Shvets, and M. C. Downer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 085001 – Published 22 August 2014

Abstract

We visualize ps-time-scale evolution of an electron density bubble—a wake structure created in atmospheric density plasma by an intense ultrashort laser pulse—from the phase “streak” that the bubble imprints onto a probe pulse that crosses its path obliquely. Phase streaks, recovered in one shot using frequency-domain interferometric techniques, reveal the formation, propagation, and coalescence of the bubble within a 3 mm long ionized helium gas target. 3D particle-in-cell simulations validate the observed density-dependent bubble evolution, and correlate it with the generation of a quasimonoenergetic 100MeV electron beam. The results provide a basis for understanding optimized electron acceleration at a plasma density ne2×1019cm3, inefficient acceleration at lower density, and dephasing limits at higher density.

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  • Received 28 March 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.085001

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Zhengyan Li, Hai-En Tsai, Xi Zhang, Chih-Hao Pai, Yen-Yu Chang, Rafal Zgadzaj, Xiaoming Wang, V. Khudik, G. Shvets, and M. C. Downer*

  • Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1081, USA

  • *Corresponding author. downer@physics.utexas.edu

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Vol. 113, Iss. 8 — 22 August 2014

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