Progress of Laser Wakefield Electron Acceleration Research

Abstract

We review the progress of laser wakefield electron acceleration from the 1970s to the present. First, this review presents its initial history and beat-wave acceleration (the first laser plasma acceleration), including a tutorial of the laser plasma acceleration theory of analysis. Second, this review shifts its concentration from the 2000s to the present by focusing on three key technologies of the laser wakefield electron accelerator; the target, the laser system and the injection scheme.