LAPTECH Results

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Fig. 1 : On the left :MPQ-Polarization rotation angle of the probe beam from [1].
On the right: LOA-Bunch length measurement from [2]

The laser plasma accelerators approach offers the possibility to produce in a compact and economical way high quality electron beams, of interest for example for time-resolved studies on unprecedented time scales. European scientists have contributed to pioneering developments and maintain leadership in this field, but competition from the US and Asia is growing rapidly. To meet these challenges, scientists from LASERLAB-EUROPE have taken the initiative to develop a Joint Research Activity with both theoretical and experimental tasks to investigate laser plasma accelerators.

Fig. 2 : Single shot X ray spectra in the weakly resonant case (a) and in the strong resonant case (b),
from [3]

Successful activities within the JRA LAPTECH have helped to define the landscape of laser plasma accelerators by providing the theoretical and experimental basis for the design of future accelerators capable of delivering high brightness, ultra-short high energy electron bunches, thus promoting a vast range of applications.

LAPTECH was composed of 7 contractors, MPQ, IST, STRATH, LIRM (CEA), SLIC (CEA), LLC and LOA. To complete this JRA, two teams from Dusseldorf (HHUD) and Dresden (FZD), have participated as sub-contractors of MPQ.
A comprehensive experimental programme, closely coupled with the theoretical one, has allowed to investigate, to demonstrate, and to develop laser plasma accelerators. Among an impressive number of high impact results one can
list the following results:

MPQ, real time electron acceleration was observed by using the Faraday rotation effect; electron bunch lengths in the few fs range were deduced from the experimental data (Fig.1 a).
At LOA, using Coherent Transition Radiation, 1.5 fs- 4kA bunch length was measured in the colliding laser pulse scheme (Fig. 1 b). This extreme peak current value is of major interest for free electron laser development.
Intense MeV photon beams from electrons in harmonically resonant betatron motion were measured by STRATH and IST teams at RAL, which is of major interest for applications.
At GoLP/IST, the Lorentz boosted frame has been implemented and has allowed to simulate acceleration in the tens GeV range.

Fig. 3 : Boosted frame simulations with a 250 J laser. a) 3D view of the wakefield, b) 2D central slice of the plasma density, c) electron energy after the end of the plasma jet, from [4]

Victor Malka

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LAPTECH Results