Meter-scale plasma waveguides for multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration

We present results from two new techniques for the generation of meter-scale, low density (similar to 10(17) cm(-3) on axis) plasma waveguides, the two-Bessel technique, and the self-waveguiding technique. Plasma waveguides of this density and length range are needed for demonstration of a similar to 10 GeV laser wakefield accelerator module, key for future staging for a similar to TeV lepton collider. Both techniques require the use of high quality ultrashort pulse Bessel beams to efficiently and uniformly ionize hydrogen gas in meter-scale supersonic gas jets via optical field ionization. We review these two techniques, describe our meter-scale gas jets, and present a new method for correction of optical aberrations in Bessel beams. Finally, we briefly present results from recent experiments employing one of our techniques, demonstrating quasimonoenergetic acceleration of similar to 5 GeV electron bunches in 20 cm long, low density plasma waveguides. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

In this study, two new techniques for generating meter-scale, low-density plasma waveguides were presented. These techniques require the use of high-quality ultrashort pulse Bessel beams to efficiently and uniformly ionize hydrogen gas. The study also introduced a new method for correcting optical aberrations in Bessel beams and presented the results of recent experiments demonstrating the acceleration of electron bunches in low-density plasma waveguides.