Ronan Lahaye

Abstract:

Laser-plasma accelerators present a promising alternative to conventional accelerators. To fully exploit the extreme amplitudes of the plasma fields and produce high-quality beams, precise control over electron injection into the accelerating structure is required, along with effective laser pulse guiding to extend the acceleration length. Recent studies have demonstrated efficient guiding and acceleration using hydrodynamic optically field-ionized plasma channels. This guiding technique has also been combined with controlled electron injection to produce high-quality electron beams at the GeV level using a 50 TW laser. The present work extends these results to higher laser power, demonstrating the generation of quasimonoenergetic electron beams with peak energies exceeding 2 GeV, for a PW-class laser.

Abstract:

Betatron radiation is produced in laser plasma accelerators when the electrons are accelerated and simultaneously wiggle across the propagation axis [Rousse et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 135005 (2004)]. The mechanisms of electron acceleration and x-ray radiation production follow different scaling laws [Corde et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 85, 1–48 (2013)], and the brightest x-ray radiation is often produced for an electron beam with a lower quality in terms of energy and divergence. Here, we report a laser-driven betatron x-ray source where the plasma density profile is tailored in order to separate the acceleration and wiggler stages, which allows for the independent optimizations of acceleration and x-ray production. We demonstrate this concept experimentally and show that the betatron photon energy can be controlled by adjusting the length of the plasma wiggler. This scheme offers a path to overcome the limitations of conventional betatron sources, enabling the production of bright, stable, energetic, and collimated x-ray beams.

Abstract:

This paper presents the first experimental realization of a scheme that allows for the tuning of the velocity of peak intensity of a focal spot with relativistic intensity. By combining a tunable pulse-front curvature with the axial intensity deposition characteristics of an axiparabola, an aspheric optical element, this system provides control over the dynamics of laser-wakefield accelerators. We demonstrate the ability to modify the velocity of peak intensity of ultrashort laser pulses to be superluminal or subluminal. The experimental results are supported by theoretical calculations and simulations, strengthening the case for the axiparabola as a pertinent strategy to achieve more efficient acceleration.

Abstract:

Abstract We present a novel, straightforward method for the characterization of spatiotemporal couplings (STCs) in ultra-short laser pulses. The method employs far-field interferometry and inverse Fourier transform spectroscopy, built on the theoretical basis derived in this paper. It stands out in its simplicity: it requires few non-standard optical elements and simple analysis algorithms. This method was used to measure the space-time intensity of our 100 TW class laser and to test the efficacy of a refractive doublet as a suppressor of pulse front curvature (PFC). The measured low-order STCs agreed with ray-tracing simulations. In addition, we demonstrate a one-shot measurement technique, derived from our central method, which allows for quick and precise alignment of the compressor by pulse front tilt minimization and for optimal refractive doublet positioning for the suppression of PFC.

Abstract:

Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) produce electric fields of the order of 100 GV m^-1, more than 1000 times larger than those produced by radio-frequency accelerators. These uniquely strong fields make LPAs a promising path to generate electron beams beyond the TeV, an important goal in high-energy physics. Yet, large electric fields are of little benefit if they are not maintained over a long distance. It is therefore of the utmost importance to guide the ultra-intense laser pulse that drives the accelerator. Reaching very high energies is equally useless if the properties of the electron beam change completely from shot to shot, due to the intrinsic lack of stability of the injection process. State-of-the-art laser-plasma accelerators can already address guiding and control challenges separately by tweaking the plasma structures. However, the production of beams that are simultaneously high quality and high energy has yet to be demonstrated. This paper presents a novel experiment, coupling laser-plasma waveguides and controlled injection techniques, facilitating the reliable and efficient acceleration of high-quality electron beams up to 1.1 GeV, from a 50 TW-class laser.