Physics of high-charge laser-plasma accelerators for few-MeV applications

Laser-plasma accelerators represent a promising technology for future compact accelerating systems, enabling the acceleration of tens of pC to above $1\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Ge}\mathrm{V}$ over just a few centimeters. Nonetheless, these devices currently lack the stability, beam quality, and average current of conventional systems. While many efforts have focused on improving acceleration stability and quality, little progress has been made in increasing the beam's average current, which is essential for future laser-plasma-based applications, such as three-dimensional X-ray tomography for cargo inspection. In this paper, we investigate a laser-plasma acceleration regime aimed at increasing the beam average current with energies up to few MeVs, efficiently enhancing the beam charge. We present experimental results on configurations that allow reaching charges of 5--30 nC and a maximum conversion efficiency of around 14%. Through comprehensive particle-in-cell simulations, we interpret the experimental results and present a detailed study on electron dynamics. From our analysis, we show that most electrons are not trapped in a plasma wave; rather, they experience ponderomotive acceleration. Thus, we prove the laser pulse as the main driver of the particles' energy gain process.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Applied
Published
2025-03-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.23.034033
Citations
5
Primary Topic
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
9.35

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Physics of high-charge laser-plasma accelerators for few-MeV applications

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Physical Review Applied
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
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article

Physics of high-charge laser-plasma accelerators for few-MeV applications

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article en
5 citations

Abstract

Laser-plasma accelerators represent a promising technology for future compact accelerating systems, enabling the acceleration of tens of pC to above $1\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Ge}\mathrm{V}$ over just a few centimeters. Nonetheless, these devices currently lack the stability, beam quality, and average current of conventional systems. While many efforts have focused on improving acceleration stability and quality, little progress has been made in increasing the beam's average current, which is essential for future laser-plasma-based applications, such as three-dimensional X-ray tomography for cargo inspection. In this paper, we investigate a laser-plasma acceleration regime aimed at increasing the beam average current with energies up to few MeVs, efficiently enhancing the beam charge. We present experimental results on configurations that allow reaching charges of 5--30 nC and a maximum conversion efficiency of around 14%. Through comprehensive particle-in-cell simulations, we interpret the experimental results and present a detailed study on electron dynamics. From our analysis, we show that most electrons are not trapped in a plasma wave; rather, they experience ponderomotive acceleration. Thus, we prove the laser pulse as the main driver of the particles' energy gain process.

Physical Review AppliedVol. 23(3)
Thales (Portugal) (PT), Université Paris-Saclay (FR), Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (LT), Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée (FR), Institut Curie (FR)
European Commission, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
9.35
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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