Dresden 2026 – scientific programme
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AKBP: Arbeitskreis Beschleunigerphysik
AKBP 11: Plasma Accelerators, Diagnostics II
AKBP 11.4: Talk
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 17:15–17:30, SCH/A117
2D Measurements of Laser Angular Chirps for the DRACO CPA Laser system — •Mohamed Samir1,2, Maxwell Laberge1, Susanne Schöbel1, Yen-Yu Chang1, Patrick Ufer1,2, Franziska Marie Herrmann1,2, Stefan Bock1, Ulrich Schramm1,2, and Arie Irman1 — 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) — 2Technische Universität Dresden
Controlling spatio-temporal properties of ultrashort, high-power laser pulses is essential for laser-matter interactions, particularly Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA). For such broadband pulses, angular dispersion (AD) becomes detrimental due to unavoidable transmissive optics or misalignment in the chirped-pulse amplification (CPA) chain. This dispersion induces wave-front tilt (WFT), degrading the focal spot, lowering the peak intensity on target, and introducing wakefield asymmetries that deflect the accelerated electron beam, thereby reducing the efficiency and stability of the acceleration process.
To quantify this for efficient LWFA and to support next-generation, dephasingless LWFA (DLWFA) concepts, we implemented a compact optical setup and conducted measurements at various positions along the 100-TW DRACO laser chain and inside the target chamber. The laser's AD and WFT were fully characterized in 2D and subsequently corrected at the target-chamber focal plane using the main TW compressor. The setup also enables precise spectral measurements, highly compact (~20 cm), lens configurable, and easily integrated.
These characterizations will support more stable, efficient laser wakefields, while serving as key diagnostics for DLWFA schemes.
Keywords: Angular Dispersion; Wave Front Tilt; Laser Wakefield Acceleration; Laser Diagnostics