Multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration of quasi-monoenergetic bunches due to localized ionization injection*

We present a 3-stage model [1] of guided mode evolution and electron injection in self-waveguided [2] laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs). The model, based on extensive 3D WarpX particle-in-cell simulations [3,4], is well-matched to experiments performed under a wide variety of laser and plasma conditions, including the generation of electron beams with energy-stratified electron bunches up to 5 GeV [5]. We demonstrate the production of < 2 GeV >7% ΔE/E (resolution limited) quasi-monoenergetic electron bunches by use of an injector gas localized within the waveguide to the same spatial scale as the pulse evolution predicted in the model. We also provide evidence that guided mode evolution can be controlled in order to induce electron injection.

[1] J.E. Shrock  et al. (in preparation).

[2] L. Feder et al., Phys. Rev. Res. 2, 43173 (2020).

[3] https://github.com/ECP-WarpX/WarpX.

[4] E. Rockafellow et al. "Particle-in-cell simulations modeling guided mode evolution and ionization injection in multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration". APS DPP 2023

[5] B. Miao et al.. Rev. X 12, 31038 (2022).