A short-pulse electron linear accelerator for laser driven particle acceleration research

Critical aspects of high-gradient electron acceleration by laser-driven relativistic electron plasma waves have been studied experimentally. A number of important features incorporated into the design of the experimental facility make it possible to obtain controlled injection of high-energy electrons into the plasma and make reliable measurements of electron acceleration. Effective accelerating electric field gradients of approximately 1.7 GeV/m have been obtained in centimeter-length plasmas.