Plasma Lens for Relativistic Lasers in Laser Wakefield Accelerators

Ultra-high intensity lasers are important tools to study the micro structures of our physical world, to investigate extreme states of matter, and to accelerate particles to ultra-relativistic energies. Focussing high power laser pulses to high intensities requires large, inflexible, and expensive optics, with their size determined by material breakdown properties. In this presentation we propose to flexibly control the laser beam size, and thus, intensity by utilizing an in-plasma focussing scheme. Owing to the strong interaction of high-power lasers with plasma and the high plasma breakdown threshold, the laser beam can be effectively modulated over short propagation distances. Such laser plasma lenses may prove valuable for future laser wakefield acceleration studies