Laser-Driven Plasma Accelerators Operating in the Self-Guided, Blowout Regime

Abstract

In this paper, some recent developments in the area of laser-driven plasma wakefield accelerators are reviewed. In particular, we discuss the acceleration of electrons by laser-induced plasma wakes in the so-called blowout regime. In this regime, the laser pulse is sufficiently intense to completely blowout all the plasma electrons and create a cavity or a bubble comprising plasma ions. The plasma electrons are attracted back toward the axis of propagation and form a thin sheath around the ions. The transverse and longitudinal electric fields of this cavity have desirable characteristics for accelerating a high-quality electron beam. In this blowout regime, the laser pulse can be self-guided by the wake it creates over tens of Rayleigh lengths until it is fully pump depleted. The mechanisms for producing such nonlinear wakes in plasmas, injecting electrons into the wakes so that they can be accelerated, competing instabilities that can adversely affect the beam quality, and recent experimental progress are discussed.