Recent Progress at LBNL on Characterization of Laser Wakefield Accelerated Electron Bunches using Coherent Transition Radiation.

Plateau, G. R. ; Nicholas, H. ; Schroeder, C. R. ; Toth, O. ; van Tilborg, J.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Particle accelerators;    Electrons;    Lasers;    Plasma;    Sampling;   

RP-ID  :  DE2008926302

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

At LBNL, laser wakefield accelerators (LWFA) can now produce ultra-short electron bunches with energies up to 1 GeV. As femtosecond electron bunches exit the plasma they radiate an intense burst in the terahertz range via coherent transition radiation (CTR). Measuring the CTR properties allows non-invasive bunchlength diagnostics, 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 ultrafast THz source.