Optimization of the characteristics of a relativistic electron beam based on laser wake-field acceleration using a non-symmetric gas target profile

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel non-symmetric gas target profile that significantly enhances the charge and energy of electron beams produced by laser wake-field acceleration, with potential applications in radiotherapy.

Contribution

The study introduces a non-symmetric nozzle design that increases electron beam charge by over tenfold and doubles the maximum energy, advancing laser wake-field acceleration technology.

Findings

Electron charge increased by at least an order of magnitude.

Maximum electron energy doubled.

Electrons injected via ionization and downramp mechanisms.

Abstract

We demonstrate a high-energy, high-charge, electron source produced by the irradiation of a novel gaseous target by an ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulse. By exploiting a nonsymmetrical nozzle, we increased the total charge of the electron beam by at least an order of magnitude with respect to our previous experiments using symmetrical nozzles. In addition, the maximum energy of the accelerated electrons was enhanced by a factor of two. The electrons are accelerated via the Laser Wake-Field Acceleration mechanism. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that electrons are injected via the ionization and the downramp injection mechanisms. Our measurements indicate that the demonstrated electron source is a considerable candidate for high dose, Very High Energy Electrons applications, such as radiotherapy.