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abstract:
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Enhanced energy gain of externally injected electrons by a ~3-cm long, high-gradient relativistic plasma wave (RPW) is demonstrated. Using a CO2 laser-beatwave of duration longer than the ion motion time across the laser spot size, a laser self-guiding process is initiated in a plasma channel. Guiding compensates for ionization-induced defocusing (IID) creating a longer plasma, which extends the interaction length between electrons and the RPW. In contrast to a maximum energy gain of 10 MeV when IID is dominant, the electrons gain up to 38 MeV energy in a laser beatwave induced plasma channel. PACS: 52.35Mw, 52.38Hb, 52.38Kd
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