# Wakefield Excited by Ultrashort Laser Pulses in Near-Critical Density Plasmas

## TL;DR

This paper investigates wakefield generation by ultrashort laser pulses in near-critical density plasmas, aiming to improve electron beam quality in laser wakefield acceleration with high repetition rate laser systems.

## Contribution

It provides new insights into wake wave properties driven by ultrashort pulses in near-critical plasmas, considering dispersion and carrier envelope phase effects.

## Key findings

- Enhanced understanding of wake wave dynamics in near-critical plasmas.
- Potential pathways to improve electron beam quality in LWFA.
- Analysis relevant for kHz laser systems with ultrashort pulses.

## Abstract

Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) using high repetition rate mJ-class laser systems brings unique opportunities for a broad range of applications. In order to meet the conditions required for the electron acceleration with lasers operating at lower energies, one has to use high density plasmas and ultrashort pulses. In the case of a few-cycle pulse, the dispersion and the carrier envelope phase effects can no longer be neglected. In this work, the properties of the wake waves generated by ultrashort pulse lasers in near-critical density plasmas are investigated. The results obtained may lead to enhancement of the quality of LWFA electron beams using kHz laser systems.