Abstract
Simultaneous measurements of high energy electrons and plasma-wave characteristics have been conducted in a self-modulated laser-wakefield accelerator. Approximately electrons were accelerated from the background plasma to energies greater than 1 MeV with a peak energy of approximately 30 MeV. A strong correlation between the plasma-wave amplitude and electron production was measured with no evidence of wave breaking. Simulations indicate plasma electrons are trapped by the low-phase-velocity beat waves produced by backward Raman scattering.
- Received 2 April 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.3909
©1997 American Physical Society