Quasi-monoenergetic Electron Beams from Laser-plasma Acceleration by Ionization-induced Injection in Low- density Pure Nitrogen

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates stable generation of quasi-monoenergetic electron beams up to 130 MeV using laser wakefield acceleration in low-density nitrogen gas, highlighting ionization-induced injection as the key mechanism.

Contribution

It presents a new approach to produce stable, high-quality electron beams using moderate laser intensities and low plasma densities with nitrogen gas.

Findings

Achieved electron energies up to 130 MeV.

Demonstrated stable electron beam generation.

Analyzed the dependence on laser energy and plasma conditions.

Abstract

We report a laser wakefield acceleration of electron beams up to 130 MeV from laser-driven 4-mm long nitrogen gas jet. By using a moderate laser intensity (3.5*10^18 W.cm^(-2)) and relatively low plasma densities (0.8*10^18 cm^(-3) to 2.7*10^18 cm^(-3)) we have achieved a stable regime for laser propagation and consequently a stable generation of electron beams. We experimentally studied the dependence of the drive laser energy on the laser-plasma channel and electron beam parameters. The quality of the generated electron beams is discussed within the framework of the ionization-induced injection mechanism.