Title :
Recent progress at LBNL on characterization of laser wakefield accelerated electron bunches using coherent transition radiation
Author :
Plateau, G. ; Esarey, E. ; Geddes, C.G.R. ; Leemans, W.P. ; Matlis, N. ; Schroeder, C.B. ; van Tilborg, J. ; Tóth, Cs
Author_Institution :
Lawrence Berkeley Nat. Lab., Berkeley
Abstract :
At LBNL, laser wakefield accelerators (LWFA) can now produce ultra-short electron bunches with energies up to 1 GeV [1]. As femtosecond electron bunches exit the plasma they radiate an intense burst in the terahertz range [2,3] via coherent transition radiation (CTR). Measuring the CTR properties allows non-invasive bunch- length diagnostics [4], a key to continuing rapid advance in LWFA technology. Experimental bunch length characterization for two different energy regimes through bolometric analysis and electro-optic (EO) sampling are presented. Measurements demonstrate both shot-to-shot stability of bunch parameters, and femtosecond synchronization between the bunch, the THz pulse, and the laser beam. In addition, this method of CTR generation provides THz pulses of very high peak power suitable for applications. Recent results reveal LWFA to be a promising intense ultra- fast THz source.
Keywords :
laser beams; particle beam bunching; particle beam diagnostics; particle beam stability; wakefield accelerators; LBNL; LWFA technology; bolometric analysis; coherent transition radiation; electro-optic sampling; femtosecond synchronization; laser wakefield accelerators; noninvasive bunch-length diagnostics; shot-to-shot stability; ultrashort electron bunches; Acceleration; Electron accelerators; Laser stability; Laser transitions; Length measurement; Plasma accelerators; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma measurements; Plasma properties; Pulse measurements;
Conference_Titel :
Particle Accelerator Conference, 2007. PAC. IEEE
Conference_Location :
Albuquerque, NM
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-0916-7
DOI :
10.1109/PAC.2007.4440641
