Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-03973

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Programmable Focal Elongation and Shaping of High-Intensity Laser Pulses using Adaptive Optics

Blum, P.DESY* ; Puchert, A.DESY* ; Archer, E.DESY* ; Jalas, S.DESY* ; Jolly, S. W. ; Osterhoff, J.Extern* ; Leemans, W.DESY* ; Kirchen, M.DESY* ; Maier, A. M.DESY* ; Shalloo, R. (Corresponding author)DESY*

2026
Soc. Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1364/OL.579664  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-03973

Abstract: Controlling the intensity distribution of laser pulses in the focal region is essential for optimizing optically generated plasma waveguides and enabling advanced plasma acceleration techniques, including dephasingless wakefield acceleration. Here, we present a method for programmatic structuring of the high-intensity focal region of a standard off-axis parabolic mirror, extending the length of the focal region well beyond the Rayleigh length and enabling control over the longitudinal intensity distribution. The theoretical framework is validated through numerical simulations and experimental measurements. Further, we demonstrate the use of this technique in an existing plasma accelerator system using readily available hardware components. Finally, we illustrate the potential application of this method to multi-GeV laser plasma acceleration and the generation of flying foci, research areas which would significantly benefit from improved programmatic structuring of high-intensity laser pulses.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Plasma Acceleration and Laser Group (MPL)

Research Program(s):

1. 621 - Accelerator Research and Development (POF4-621) (POF4-621)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)531352484 - Strukturierte Plasmen zur Laserbasierte Steuerung von Elektronenstrahlen (531352484) (531352484)

Experiment(s):

1. Laser-Driven Undulator X-Ray Source

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Electronics and Telecommunications Collection ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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