Göttingen 2012 – scientific programme
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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik
T 88: Beschleunigerphysik 10
T 88.3: Talk
Friday, March 2, 2012, 09:00–09:15, VG 1.104
fs-micromachining and characterization of sapphire capillaries for laser-driven wakefield acceleration in plasma — •Jan-Patrick Schwinkendorf1, Matthias Schnepp1, Tobias Kleinwächter1, Lucas Schaper1, Bernhard Schmidt2, and Jens Osterhoff1 — 1Institut für Experimentalphysik, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany — 2Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
Plasma wakefields are a promising approach for the acceleration of electrons with ultrahigh (10 to 100 GV/m) electric field gradients. Nowadays, high-intensity laser pulses are routinely utilized to excite these large-amplitude plasma waves. However, several detrimental effects such as laser diffraction, electron-wake dephasing and laser depletion may terminate the acceleration process. Two of these phenomena can be mitigated or avoided by the application of a capillary waveguide, e.g. fabricated out of sapphire for longevity. Capillaries may compensate for laser diffraction like a fiber and allow for the creation of tapered gas-density profiles working against the dephasing between the accelerating wave and the particles.
We are reporting on the set up of a laser for fs-micromachining of capillaries of almost arbitrary shapes and a test stand for density-profile characterization. These devices will permit the creation of tailored gas-density profiles for controlled electron-beam injection and acceleration inside plasma.