High-resolution (sub-%), single-shot energy distribution, and emittance measurements of GeV-class electron beams generated by laser plasma accelerators (LPAs) have been enabled through the use of an active plasma lens combined with relatively short dipole magnets. This setup, with only 60 cm between the LPA source and the final diagnostic screen, was facilitated through the use of a replenishable $20-40 nm thick liquid crystal plasma mirror to separate remnant laser radiation from the electron beam without emittance degradation. As LPAs capable of generating GeV-class electron beams at cm-scale distances become increasingly ubiquitous, there is a need to supplement these compact accelerators with equally compact diagnostics.
We demonstrate novel methods for direct detection of relativistic electrons ponderomotively ejected from the focus of high-intensity (1018 − 1021 W/cm2) laser pulses.
We describe a novel technology based on liquid crystal films for ultrathin targets and plasma mirrors for PW-class laser experiments, on-demand or rep-rated. We describe experiments on ion acceleration, relativistic transparency, and plasma mirror operation.
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