Speaker
Description
Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) have demonstrated the capability to produce high-energy, high-quality electron beams over compact distances. A key challenge is to maximise the coupling efficiency between the laser pulse and the accelerating plasma structure. One promising approach is to guide the laser pulse through a preformed plasma channel, maintaining the laser focus over extended propagation distances and thereby enabling sustained electron acceleration. This technique has enabled the acceleration of electrons to energies up to 10 GeV through laser guiding over several centimetres.
In this work, we investigate laser guiding in plasma channels generated by high-voltage electrical discharges in gas-filled capillaries for high repetition rate applications. We examine the influence of both the plasma channel properties and the laser parameters on guiding performance. Furthermore, three-dimensional Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations are employed to study the laser-plasma interaction and the resulting electron beam acceleration within these guided plasma structures.