Ultrahigh brightness attosecond electron beams from intense X-ray laser driven plasma photocathode

Abstract

The emerging intense attosecond X-ray lasers can extend the Laser Wakefield Acceleration mechanism to higher plasma densities in which the acceleration gradients are greatly enhanced. Here we present simulation results of high quality electron acceleration driven by intense attosecond X-ray laser pulses in liquid methane. Ultrahigh brightness electron beams can be generated with 5-dimensional beam brightness over [Formula: see text]. The pulse duration of the electron bunch can be shorter than 20 as. Such unique electron sources can benefit research areas requiring crucial spatial and temporal resolutions.