Direct spectral measurements of midinfrared radiation from a laser wakefield accelerator

Abstract

The formation of plasma waves during laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) produces time-dependent frequency shifts in the driving laser pulse, extending its spectral content to the infrared. We present direct spectral measurements of multi-mJ infrared pulses from an LWFA. Experimental beam profile measurements and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations suggest high focusability of these pulses. Particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the measurement of side-scattered infrared radiation may serve as a diagnostic of plasma waves and the efficiency of spectral broadening during LWFA.