Transverse modulation of an electron beam generated in self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator experiments

Abstract

Low energy electron beams (E approximately 300 keV) generated in a self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator experiment were observed to filament and be deflected away from the laser axis forming radial jets in the electron beam profile. At higher energies (E>900 keV), the filamentation and jets were suppressed and smooth electron beams copropagating with the laser were observed. The observed electron beam filamentation likely results from laser beam filamentation in the plasma due to relativistic self-focusing effects. The radial jets of low energy electrons are likely caused by transverse ejection of the electrons due to the radial structure of the wakefield and space charge deflection of electrons as they exit the laser focus.