Laser Wakefield Acceleration of Finite Charge Electron Bunches

Consistent analysis of the bunch charge (beam loading effect) influence on the energy characteristics of accelerated electrons is presented. In 1-D approximation, the simple analytical expression for the optimum electron bunch density is derived, which minimizes the electron energy spread when maximum bunch energy gain is achieved. For wide electron bunches, all analytical predictions are confirmed by the results of numerical modeling. First, self-consistent simulation results obtained by the code LAser-PLasma ACceleration for the new scheme of the low-energy bunch injection in front of the laser pulse are obtained and analyzed.