Direct observation of a wakefield generated with structured light.

ABSTRACT: The use of structured light to control the phase velocity of the wake in laser-wakefield accelerators has generated significant interest for its ability to mitigate electron dephasing. Combining the diffraction-free properties of Bessel beams with spatio-temporal shaping of the pulse promises to enable acceleration with an unprecedented combination of long acceleration lengths and high gradients. This would facilitate the acceleration of electrons to energies above 100 GeV in existing laser facilities. In-depth understanding of the physical mechanisms involved is critical to achieving dephasing-free electron acceleration. Here we present experimental observations of wakefields generated by beams that were spatio-temporally sculpted and then focused with a long-focal-depth mirror, known as

SUBMITTER: Liberman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12686447 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature