Direct optical measurements of the evolving spatio-temporal charge density in ultrashort electron pulses

The temporal evolution of the charge density distribution in femtosecond laser produced electron pulses was studied using electron-laser pulse cross correlation techniques and compared to analytical predictions and simulations. The influence of propagation time and weak magnetic focusing were both investigated. Our results show that ultrashort electron pulses develop a relatively uniform internal charge density as they propagate, which is in good agreement with analytical predictions, and that weakly focusing an ultrashort electron pulse results in an increased internal charge density towards the leading edge of the pulse.