Multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration in optically generated plasma waveguides

ORAL · Invited

Abstract

New techniques for optically generating meter-scale low density plasma waveguides above elongated supersonic jets [1–4] have enabled a new generation of multi-GeV laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) [4–7] capable of producing multi-Joule electron beams [8] with some electrons accelerated up to 10 GeV [6,7]. In this talk, we will first review the development of this type of accelerator, including key hardware [1,9], models of channel formation [10] and pulse evolution [4], and use as a muon source [11]. Next, we will present recent and ongoing work utilizing longitudinally tailored channels. We will discuss the implementation of logarithmic diffractive axicons [9] to generate funnel-mouthed waveguides [12] which improve robustness to laser pointing variation, the use of localized channel perturbations for localized injection, and density ramps to improve energy gain.

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Publication: [1] B. Miao et al., Rev. of Sci. Instr. 96, 04003 (2025).
[2] L. Feder et al., Phys. Rev. Res. 2, 43173 (2020).
[3] B. Miao et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 74801 (2020).
[4] J. E. Shrock et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 045002 (2024).
[5] B. Miao et al., Phys. Rev. X 12, 31038 (2022).
[6] A. Picksley et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 255001 (2024).
[7] E. Rockafellow et al., Phys. Plasmas 32, 053102(2025).
[8] J. E. Shrock et al., In Preparation.
[9] N. Tripathi et al., Opt. Lett. 50, 3441 (2025).
[10] B. Miao et al., Phys. Rev. Accel. and Beams 27, 81302 (2024).
[11] J. D. Ludwig et al., Sci Rep 15, 25902 (2025).
[12] E. Rockafellow et al., In Preparation

Presenters

  • Jaron E Shrock

    University of Maryland College Park

Authors

  • Jaron E Shrock

    University of Maryland College Park

  • Bo Miao

    University of Maryland College Park

  • Ela Rockafellow

    University of Maryland

  • Ari J Sloss

    University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland

  • Howard Michael Milchberg

    University of Maryland College Park