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

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 87; no. 26; pp. 261501 - 261501-3
• Main Authors: Levin, M., Pukhov, A., Hubbard, R. F., Kaganovich, D., Gordon, D. F., Sprangle, P., Ting, A., Hafizi, B., Zigler, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Institute of Physics 26-12-2005
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; CAPILLARIES; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; ELECTRON DENSITY; ELECTRON TEMPERATURE; ION TEMPERATURE; LASERS; LIGHT TRANSMISSION; PLASMA; PLASMA DENSITY; PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS; PLASMA SIMULATION; PLEXIGLAS; WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.2149183

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.