Wakefield Acceleration Research Articles

Wavelength scaling and multicolor operation of a plasma-driven attosecond x-ray source via harmonic generation

The generation of high-power coherent soft x-ray pulses of sub-100 as duration and 10 nm wavelength using beams from a GeV energy plasma wakefield accelerator has been recently investigated in Emma []. As a future upgrade to this concept, this contribution investigates scaling to shorter x-ray wavelengths by cascading undulators tuned to higher harmonics of the fundamental. We present two simulation studies for plasma-driven attosecond harmonic generation schemes with final photon wavelengths of 2 and 0.40 nm. We demonstrate in these schemes that using undulators with retuned fundamental frequencies can produce GW-scale pulses of sub-nm radiation with tens of attosecond-scale pulse lengths, an order of magnitude shorter than current state-of-the-art attosecond x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs). This multipulse multicolor operation will be broadly applicable to attosecond pump-probe experiments. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Bunching enhancement for coherent harmonic generation by using phase merging effects

In this paper, promising but simple schemes are investigated to enhance the micro-bunching of relativistic electron beams for coherent harmonic generation (CHG) by using phase merging effects. In contrast to the standard CHG scheme, two specially designed dispersion sections (DSs) are adopted with the DS-modulator–DS configuration. The phase space of the e beam is appropriately coupled in the first DS, and the electrons within one seed wavelength can merge to the same phase with a matched second DS. Micro-bunching of the e beam can thus be enhanced by a large margin with much higher-harmonic components. Taking e beams from laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) as an example, start-to-end simulations are performed to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed schemes with several configurations. The beam current can be optimized to several tens to hundreds of kiloamperes, and the radiation power reaches hundreds of megawatts in the extreme ultraviolet regime within a 3.5 m-long beamline. The proposed schemes offer new opportunities for future compact free-electron lasers driven by LWFAs and provides prospects for truly compact and widely applicable systems.

Turbulence generation in the solar corona through nonlinear interaction between 3D kinetic Alfvén wave and magnetic islands

This study investigates the interaction between kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) and magnetic islands in solar corona region. KAWs and magnetic islands are believed to be one of the key players in the heating of the coronal plasma and particle acceleration. We have used the dynamical model for KAWs to simulate its propagation through magnetic islands. The equation is solved numerically by using the finite difference and pseudospectral technique for spatial and temporal variations. The simulation results have been studied and signatures of turbulent structures evolving with time have been observed. Turbulence plays a considerable role in tapping out magnetic energy to thermal energy. The plot of the energy spectrum as a function of wavenumber exhibits a power law behavior in the inertial range, characterized with an exponent around −5/3 . Beyond this range, the spectrum becomes steeper. In order to gain a more thorough knowledge of the physical processes that underlie the development of localized structures and to estimate the current sheet scale sizes, a semi-analytically model is also performed. The results indicate that the size of localized structures are comparable to ion gyro-radius, and different intensities of KAW further modify this length scale formed at different times. The purpose of the study is to acquire an understanding of the KAW propagation in magnetic islands and the way it contributes to the formation of turbulence and energy release in the solar corona. A comparative aspect of the non-linear interaction of 3D KAW with magnetic island and null point is also presented which shows that non-linear interaction of 3D KAW with null point, leads to rapid disorganization of the magnetic field and the creation of localized structures.

Energy stabilization of high-charge bunches from laser plasma accelerators

Laser plasma accelerators (LPAs) have become one of the frontiers of the accelerator community, mainly because they promise orders of magnitude improvement in the accelerating gradient. However, the energy stability and spread of the high-charge bunched beams (e.g. several hundred pC per bunch) from LPAs still strongly limit their application. In this work, we propose a novel method utilizing magnetic chicanes combined with both active and passive plasma dechirpers to simultaneously reduce the central energy deviation and the energy spread of high-charge bunched beams from LPAs. Start-to-end simulations demonstrate that the central energy deviation and the energy spread of approximately 500 pC bunches can be simultaneously reduced from approximately 2% and 1.2% to 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively, while maintaining almost perfect transmission efficiency (above 97%).

Absolute energy-dependent scintillating screen calibration for real-time detection of laser-accelerated proton bunches.

Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) can deliver pico- to nanosecond long proton bunches with ≳100 nC of charge dispersed over a broad energy spectrum. Increasing the repetition rates of today's LPAs is a necessity for their practical application. This, however, creates a need for real-time proton bunch diagnostics. Scintillating screens are one detector solution commonly applied in the field of electron LPAs for spatially resolved particle and radiation detection. Yet their establishment for LPA proton detection is only slowly taking off, also due to the lack of available calibrations. In this paper, we present an absolute proton number calibration for the scintillating screen type DRZ High (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Düsseldorf, Germany), one of the most sensitive screens according to calibrations for relativistic electrons and x rays. The presented absolute light yield calibration shows an uncertainty of the proton number of 10% and can seamlessly be applied at other LPA facilities. For proton irradiation of the DRZ High screen, we find an increase in light yield of >60% compared to reference calibration data for relativistic electrons. Moreover, we investigate the scintillating screen light yield dependence on proton energy since many types of scintillators (e.g., plastic, liquid, and inorganic) show a reduced light yield for increased local energy deposition densities, an effect termed ionization quenching. The ionization quenching can reduce the light yield for low-energy protons by up to ∼20%. This work provides all necessary data for absolute spectral measurements of LPA protons with DRZ High scintillating screens, e.g., when used in the commonly applied Thomson parabola spectrometers.

Plasma plume enhancement of a dual-anode vacuum arc thruster with magnetic nozzle

Vacuum arc thruster (VAT) is a type of pulsed electric propulsion device that generates thrust based on vacuum arc discharges, it has great candidate for micro-newton force applications in orbit. To improve both the thrust and longevity of the VAT, a novel dual-anode structure, comprising a central anode and a ring anode, was developed. We conducted an investigation into the plasma discharge and acceleration process within the influence of a magnetic nozzle. The dual-anode architecture resulted in a reduction in the initial plasma impedance, thereby enhancing ion current and velocity. Analysis of surface parameters during discharge revealed a synergistic mechanism between the two insulator-conducting films, enabling a co-cyclic distribution of energy and resistance fluctuations within the discharge. Consequently, the dual-anode setup demonstrated a lifespan extension of at least twofold. Comparative analyses of arc energy, plasma velocity, ion current, and thrust variations with magnetic field strength were conducted between the dual-anode and single-anode configurations under magnetic nozzle influence. Results showed that the dual-anode structure increased ion current and velocity when subjected to magnetic nozzle influence, resulting in a thrust increase of up to 303%. Additionally, we developed a theoretical model for the diffusion coefficient to elucidate the adaptive splitting phenomenon of the arc within the dual-anode structure under magnetic field influence. This model suggests that the dual-anode structure can achieve a more significant enhancement in beam current from the magnetic nozzle compared to the single-anode configuration.

Source size of x rays from self-modulated laser wakefield accelerators

A comparative study of x-ray sources generated with different mechanisms from self-modulated laser wakefield acceleration (SM-LWFA) electrons was performed to compare the source size or spatial resolution for use in high energy density science applications. We examine the source size of betatron, inverse Compton scattering, and bremsstrahlung radiation with a Fresnel diffraction based formalism and a modified x-ray ray tracing model. We observe the dependence of source size on the radiation generation process, laser parameters, and compare to what is possible in other regimes of LWFA, as well as current methods. This information is significant as we begin to explore the use of light sources driven by SM-LWFA for use as a diagnostic at large-scale laser facilities where blowout regime LWFA is not possible.

Beam physics studies for a high charge and high beam quality laser-plasma accelerator

Electron acceleration by laser-plasma techniques is approaching maturity and is getting ready for the construction of particle accelerators with dedicated applications. We present a general methodology showing how beam physics studies can be used to achieve a specific parameter set in a laser-plasma accelerator. Laser systems, plasma targets, and magnetic component properties are designed to optimize the electron beam so as to achieve the required performances. Beam physics in its full 6D phase space is studied from electron injection to beam delivery to the end user, through the plasma acceleration stage and transport line. As each beam parameter can only be modified by specific electric/magnetic field configurations, it is crucial to assign from the beginning specific roles to given accelerator sections in obtaining given beam parameters. These beam physics considerations were successfully applied to the design of a plasma-based electron injector for the AWAKE Run2 experiment. Electron beam parameters were calculated using a global simulation, achieving simultaneously unprecedented high charge (100 pC) and high quality (micrometric beam emittance and size). Published by the American Physical Society 2024

First in vitro cell co-culture experiments using laser-induced high-energy electron FLASH irradiation for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic strategies

Radiation delivery at ultrahigh dose rates (UHDRs) has potential for use as a new anticancer therapeutic strategy. The FLASH effect induced by UHDR irradiation has been shown to maintain antitumour efficacy with a reduction in normal tissue toxicity; however, the FLASH effect has been difficult to demonstrate in vitro. The objective to demonstrate the FLASH effect in vitro is challenging, aiming to reveal a differential response between cancer and normal cells to further identify cell molecular mechanisms. New high-intensity petawatt laser-driven accelerators can deliver very high-energy electrons (VHEEs) at dose rates as high as 1013 Gy/s in very short pulses (10–13 s). Here, we present the first in vitro experiments carried out on cancer cells and normal non-transformed cells concurrently exposed to laser-plasma accelerated (LPA) electrons. Specifically, melanoma cancer cells and normal melanocyte co-cultures grown on chamber slides were simultaneously irradiated with LPA electrons. A non-uniform dose distribution on the cell cultures was revealed by Gafchromic films placed behind the chamber slide supporting the cells. In parallel experiments, cell co-cultures were exposed to pulsed X-ray irradiation, which served as positive controls for radiation-induced nuclear DNA double-strand breaks. By measuring the impact on discrete areas of the cell monolayers, the greatest proportion of the damaged DNA-containing nuclei was attained by the LPA electrons at a cumulative dose one order of magnitude lower than the dose obtained by pulsed X-ray irradiation. Interestingly, in certain discrete areas, we observed that LPA electron exposure had a different effect on the DNA damage in healthy normal human epidermal melanocyte (NHEM) cells than in A375 melanoma cells; here, the normal cells were less affected by the LPA exposure than cancer cells. This result is the first in vitro demonstration of a differential response of tumour and normal cells exposed to FLASH irradiation and may contribute to the development of new cell culture strategies to explore fundamental understanding of FLASH-induced cell effect.

Experimental capabilities of the LMJ-PETAL facility

Recent progress in the experimental capabilities of the LMJ-PETAL laser facility is reviewed. Updates on the indirect-drive D2 implosion experiments and equation-of-state experiments using the LMJ laser are presented, including the commissioning of new plasma diagnostics. Several recent campaigns using the PETAL laser alone are also presented, namely the development of a platform using high-resolution and high-energy X-ray sources for radiography experiments, laser wakefield acceleration studies in the self-modulated regime, and neutron generation using a Target Normal Sheath Accelerated proton beam in a pitcher-catcher configuration.

Plasma acceleration in the atmosphere by pulsed inductive thruster

Plasma acceleration in the atmosphere by pulsed inductive thruster

Selective electron beam sensing through coherent Cherenkov diffraction radiation

We exploit the coherent emission of Cherenkov diffraction radiation (ChDR) by a relativistic electron beam to sense its position even in the presence of other particle beams. ChDR is produced in alumina inserts embedded in the vacuum chamber walls and recorded in a narrow band centered at 30 GHz. This nontrivial solution has been implemented for plasma wakefield accelerators, where the electron beam to be sensed can copropagate with another high-energy proton beam that generates the plasma wakefield. In addition, at variance with most existing position detectors, this method is insensitive to spurious electric charges due to the presence of plasma. We present the overall design of the detector as well as experimental results obtained in the AWAKE facility at CERN. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Laser polarization control of ionization-injected electron beams and x-ray radiation in laser wakefield accelerators

In this paper, we have studied the influence of laser polarization on the dynamics of the ionization-injected electron beams, and subsequently, the properties of the emitted betatron radiation in laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs). While ionizing by strong field laser radiation, the generated photo-electrons carry a residual transverse momentum in excess of the ionization potential via the above threshold ionization (ATI) process. This ATI momentum explicitly depends on the polarization state of the ionizing laser and eventually governs the dynamics of the electron beam trapped inside the wake potential. In order to systematically investigate the effect of the laser polarization, here, we have employed complete three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations in the nonlinear bubble regime of the LWFAs. We focus, in particular, on the effects the laser polarization has on the ionization injection mechanism, and how these features affect the final beam properties, such as beam charge, energy, energy spread, and transverse emittance. We have also found that as the laser polarization gradually changes from linear to circular, the helicity of the electron trajectory, and hence the angular momentum carried by the beam, increases significantly. Studies have been further extended to reveal the effect of laser polarization on the radiation emitted by the accelerated electrons. The far-field radiation spectra have been calculated for the linear and circular polarization states of the laser. It has been shown that the spatial distributions and the polarization properties (Stokes parameters) of the emitted radiation in the above two cases are substantially different. Therefore, our study provides a facile and efficient alternative to regulate the properties of the accelerated electron beams and x-ray radiation in LWFAs, utilizing ionization injection mechanism.

Reducing wavelength jitter in white-light seeded femtosecond optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifiers.

White light generation (WLG) in bulk material can be used as a versatile broadband seed source for optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) stages. In this case, it is beneficial to optimize the performance of the WLG seeder in combination with the subsequent OPCPA stage. Here, we characterize how small variations in the drive pulse energy affect the white light seeder performance, in particular the wavelength stability of the amplified OPCPA spectrum. To isolate the influence of drive pulse energy on the OPCPA central wavelength, we introduce a phase-sensitive amplitude measurement and carefully optimize the drive pulse focus position (at the bulk) to minimize the sensitivity to the jitter of the drive pulse energy. With additional active stabilization of the delay between pump and seed pulses in the OPCPA, we achieve a central wavelength jitter of 2 × 10-4. With this performance, our source is an ideal front-end for applications in laser-plasma acceleration or free-electron laser seeding.

Laser-accelerated MeV-scale collimated electron bunch from a near-critical plasma of a liquid jet target

Generation of a collimated electron bunch with energy of a few MeV is demonstrated experimentally during propagation of 1 TW 10 Hz femtosecond laser radiation through a near-critical plasma formed from a micrometer-scale liquid jet (ethanol) target by ablation and boring with an intense nanosecond pulse. Hydrodynamic and particle-in-cell simulations reveal the evolution of the plasma cloud and help to identify the acceleration mechanism, which is related to self-modulated laser Wakefield acceleration during nonlinear propagation of laser radiation through plasma. The measured bunch divergence is at the level of 0.04 rad with high shot-to-shot stability. The total charge of the particles with energy above 1.6 MeV was estimated at ∼15 pC. The simplicity and robustness of the target design allows for enhanced pulse repetition rate with suppressed debris formation.

Effect of trapezoidal plasma density region in bubble wakefield acceleration

In the process of bubble wakefield acceleration highly nonlinear region is developed inside plasma, which intuitively suggests that nonuniform plasma density having gradients may be more suited to achieve large nonlinearity in the system. Moreover, when an intense laser pulse propagates in a plasma, it is subjected to various instabilities and these instabilities can be controlled by plasma density profiles which effectively control the energy and flux of the accelerated particles. Considering all these points we investigate in the present work the scaling effect of up-ramp and down-ramp regions in plasma density profile on the bubble wakefield. These regions are separated by a plateau region (maximum density) enabling the density to have trapezoidal profile. With this density profile, the bubble wakefield acceleration is examined considering four different lengths of up-ramp and plateau regions keeping a constant down-ramp length. Increasing steepness of up-ramp length (larger density gradient), i.e., lowering the length of up-ramp and increasing the plateau length creates a bubble having higher wakefield strength, resulting into higher accumulation of plasma electrons at its tail and higher energy spectrum with higher kinetic energy gradient and Poynting flux of accelerated electrons.

Large-amplitude plasma wave generation by laser beating in inhomogeneous magnetized plasmas

Large-amplitude plasma wave is known to accelerate electrons to high energies. The electron energy gain mainly depends on plasma wave amplitude. In this paper, we investigate the excitation of large-amplitude plasma waves by laser beat-wave in an inhomogeneous plasma. The idea behind this work is to employ linear and radial plasma density profiles to enhance the plasma wave amplitude. PIC simulations are used to validate the numerical solution of the nonlinear wave equation in cylindrical dimensions through the finite difference method. Furthermore, the effects of the quadratic-radial plasma density profiles and magnetic field on the plasma wave excitation are investigated. The study shows that compared to the linear density profile of plasma, the plasma wave amplitude in the case of a linear-radial density profile is far more pronounced. For the linear-radial density profile, the plasma wave amplitude remains steady over greater distances of propagation compared to the linear density profile, resulting in reduced immediate damping effects. It can also be seen that the plasma wave amplitude is higher for the quadratic-radial than for the linear-radial density profiles. The effect of a longitudinal magnetic field on plasma wave amplitude is investigated. It can be seen that the plasma wave amplitude is increased by applying a magnetic field. This study may provide a way to enhance the plasma wave field for accelerating the electrons in laser-plasma accelerators.

Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Driven by XCELS Laser Pulse

Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Driven by XCELS Laser Pulse

Single-Shot Diagnosis of Electron Energy Evolution via Streaked Betatron X Rays in a Curved Laser Wakefield Accelerator.

We report on an experimental observation of the streaking of betatron x rays in a curved laser wakefield accelerator. The streaking of the betatron x rays was realized by launching a laser pulse into a plasma with a transverse density gradient. By controlling the plasma density and the density gradient, we realized the steering of the laser driver, electron beam, and betatron x rays simultaneously. Moreover, we observed an energy-angle correlation of the streaked betatron x rays and utilized it in diagnosing the electron acceleration process in a single-shot mode. Our work could also find applications in advanced control of laser beam and particle propagation. More importantly, the angular streaked betatron x ray has an intrinsic spatiotemporal correlation, which makes it a promising tool for single-shot pump-probe applications.

Stabilization and correction of aberrated laser beams via plasma channelling.

High-power laser applications, and especially laser wakefield acceleration, continue to draw attention through various research topics, and may bring many industrial applications based on compact accelerators, from ultrafast imaging to cancer therapy. However, one main step towards this is the arch issue of stability. Indeed, the interaction of a complex, aberrated laser beam with plasma involves a lot of physical phenomena and non-linear effects, such as self-focusing and filamentation. Different outcomes can be induced by small laser instabilities (i.e. laser wavefront), therefore harming any practical solution. One promising path to be explored is the use of a plasma channel to possibly guide and correct aberrated beams. Complex and costly experimental facilities are required to investigate such topics. However, one way to quickly and efficiently explore new solutions is numerical simulations, especially Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations if, and only if, one is confidently implementing such aberrated beams which, contrary to a Gaussian beam, do not have analytical solutions. In this research, we propose two new advancements: the correct implementation of aberrated laser beams inside a 3D PIC code, showing a great consistency, under vacuum, compared to the calculations with Fresnel theory); and the correction of their quality via the propagation inside a plasma channel. We demonstrate improvements in the beam pattern, becoming closer to a single plasma mode with less distortions, and thus suggesting a better stability for the targeted application. Through this confident calculation technique for distorted laser beams, we are now expecting to proceed with more accurate PIC simulations, closer to experimental conditions, and obtained results with plasma channels indicate promising future research.