Compact Kilohertz Laser Wakefield Acceleration

Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) utilizes short pulse lasers focused down to relativistic intensities which drive large acceleration gradients suitable for electron acceleration. The relativistic electron beams are useful for wide ranging applications such as radiography, radiochemistry, x-ray generation, and positron generation. Preliminary work is shown for experiments performed on the UCI laser system, in which a compact, single stage laser system generates electrons at kilohertz repetition rates. Experimental measurements of wavefront, density, electrons, and x-rays will be presented, along with Particle-in-Cell simulations.