Use of spatiotemporal couplings and an axiparabola to control axial energy deposition velocity

Abstract

This paper presents the first experimental realization of a scheme that allows for the tuning of the axial energy deposition velocity of a focal spot with relativistic intensity. By combining a tunable pulse-front curvature with the axial energy deposition characteristics of the axiparabola, an aspheric optical element, this system allows for controlling the dynamics of laser-wakefield accelerators. We demonstrate the ability to modify the axial energy deposition velocity of 100 TW laser pulses to be superluminal or subluminal. The experimental results are supported by theoretical calculations and simulations, strengthening the case for the axiparabola as a pertinent strategy to achieve dephasingless acceleration.

6 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (1)

• Spatiotemporal pulse characterization with far-field beamlet cross-correlation

Cited by in corpus (5)

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• Steering laser-produced THz radiation in air with superluminal ionization fronts
• First direct observation of a wakefield generated with structured light
• First Electron Acceleration in a Tunable-Velocity Laser Wakefield
• Flying focus with arbitrary directionality for spatiotemporal control of laser pulses