Longitudinal profiles of plasma parameters in a laser-ignited capillary discharge and implications for laser wakefield accelerator applications

M. Levin*, A. Pukhov, R. F. Hubbard, D. Kaganovich, D. F. Gordon, P. Sprangle, A. Ting, B. Hafizi, A. Zigler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The evolution of longitudinal electron density and temperature profiles in plasma channel produced by a low-current Plexiglas capillary discharge with laser ignition was investigated by spectroscopic methods. The plasma was produced by an electric discharge using a 0.5 mm diameter, 15 mm long Plexiglas capillary. The electron density measured in near-outlet region was found to be lower by 30%. Simulations show that this variation of the plasma density near the entrance of the capillary can pose substantial difficulties for external injection of electrons for laser wakefield accelerator applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number261501
Pages (from-to)1-3
Number of pages3
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume87
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

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