Simulation Study of an LWFA-based Electron Injector for AWAKE Run 2

TL;DR

This paper explores using laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) as a compact, scalable electron injector for the AWAKE experiment, demonstrating through simulations that it can produce suitable electron beams for plasma wakefield acceleration.

Contribution

It presents simulation results showing LWFA can generate high-charge, short-duration electron beams compatible with AWAKE's requirements, addressing current injector limitations.

Findings

A 43 TW laser can produce over 100 MeV electron beams with sufficient charge.

LWFA beams have high peak current and large divergence, requiring optimization.

Compact beam transport solutions are feasible for integration into AWAKE.

Abstract

The AWAKE experiment aims to demonstrate preservation of injected electron beam quality during acceleration in proton-driven plasma waves. The short bunch duration required to correctly load the wakefield is challenging to meet with the current electron injector system, given the space available to the beamline. An LWFA readily provides short-duration electron beams with sufficient charge from a compact design, and provides a scalable option for future electron acceleration experiments at AWAKE. Simulations of a shock-front injected LWFA demonstrate a 43 TW laser system would be sufficient to produce the required charge over a range of energies beyond 100 MeV. LWFA beams typically have high peak current and large divergence on exiting their native plasmas, and optimisation of bunch parameters before injection into the proton-driven wakefields is required. Compact beam transport solutions are discussed.