Wakefields in a Cluster Plasma

POSTER

Abstract

We report the first study of large amplitude Langmuir waves in a plasma of nanometer-scale clusters. The shape of these wakefields is captured by an oblique-angle frequency-domain holography diagnostic for the first time. The wavefronts are observed to curve backwards, in contrast to the forwards curvature of wakefields in uniform plasma. The first wakefield period is longer than those trailing it. Next, the experimental data is compared to fully relativistic 2D particle-in-cell simulations and a new injection mechanism is found. Our simulations indicate that this mechanism leads to a greater maximum momentum and energy spread compared to electrons trapped in the uniform case.

Presenters

  • Marko W Mayr

    University of Oxford

Authors

  • Marko W Mayr

    University of Oxford

  • Muhammad F Kasim

    University of Oxford

  • Luke Ceurvorst

    University of Bordeaux, Université de Bordeaux, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, U. of Bordeaux

  • James Sadler

    University of Oxford

  • Kevin Glize

    Rutherford Appleton Lab

  • Alexander Francis Savin

    University of Oxford

  • Benjamin Spiers

    University of Oxford

  • Robin Hsiao-Wu Wang

    University of Oxford

  • Ricardo Fonseca

    ISCTE - Inst Universitario Lisboa, ISCTE - Inst Universitário Lisboa, ISCTE - Inst Universitario LIsboa , Inst Superior Tecnico (IST), ISCTE - Inst Universitario Lisboa , GoLP/IPFN Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, ISCTE - Inst Universitario Lisboa , GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, ISCTE - Inst Universitario Lisboa , Inst Superior Tecnico (IST), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusao Nuclear, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portug

  • Luis O Silva

    Inst Superior Tecnico (IST), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/IPFN, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal, GoLP/IPFN – Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), GoLP/IPFN Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, GoLP/Instituto de Plasmas e Fusao Nuclear, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

  • Peter Andrew Norreys

    Rutherford Appleton Lab, University of Oxford, University of Oxford