title: Multicentimeter long high density magnetic plasmas for optical guiding.
abstract: We present a platform for producing long plasma channels suitable for guiding lasers over several centimeters by applying magnetic fields to limit the radial heat flux from a preforming laser beam. The resulting density gradient will be used as an optical plasma waveguide. The plasma conditions have been chosen to be consistent with the requirements for laser wakefield acceleration where multi-GeV electrons are predicted. A detailed description of the system used to produce the high (5 T) magnetic fields and initial results that show a 5 cm long plasma column are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551, USA.
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Froula
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Tynan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Divol
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yepiz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fulkerson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mangini
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Glenzer