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Transverse interferometry of a hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide
A J Gonsalves1, T P Rowlands-Rees, B H P Broks
1Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Transverse interferometric measurements of a hydrogen plasma channel show good agreement with nonlocal thermal equilibrium simulations. These findings help optimize plasma channels for laser-driven particle accelerators.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Accelerator Science
- Laser-Plasma Interactions
Background:
- Laser-driven plasma accelerators offer a novel approach to particle acceleration.
- Capillary discharge waveguides are crucial for confining the plasma channel in these accelerators.
- Accurate characterization of the plasma channel is essential for efficient electron generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present transverse interferometric measurements of the plasma channel in a hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide.
- To compare experimental results with theoretical models, including nonlocal thermal equilibrium and quasistatic simulations.
- To derive scaling laws for plasma channel properties to enable optimization for specific applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing transverse interferometric measurements to probe the plasma channel.
- Conducting experiments in a hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide.
- Comparing experimental data with nonlocal thermal equilibrium simulations and the Bobrova et al. quasistatic model.
Main Results:
- Experimental measurements show good agreement with nonlocal thermal equilibrium simulations.
- Significant discrepancies were observed between measurements and the Bobrova et al. quasistatic model.
- Scaling laws for axial electron density and matched spot size of the plasma channel were determined.
Conclusions:
- Nonlocal thermal equilibrium simulations provide a more accurate description of the plasma channel compared to the quasistatic model.
- The derived scaling laws facilitate the optimization of plasma channels for advanced laser-driven accelerators.
- These findings advance the understanding and application of plasma channels in particle acceleration.
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