Impact of transverse irregularities at the photocathode on the production of high-charge electron bunches

Abstract

The properties of electron beams produced in a photoinjector are strongly dependent on the initial conditions, i.e. the photocathode drive laser shape and its uniformity. We explore the impact of well-defined transverse laser perturbations on the evolution of the electron beam both in configuration and velocity spaces and especially investigate how certain types of perturbations evolve as the beam propagates in the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator facility. Numerical simulations performed with IMPACT-T are presented. Finally preliminary experimental results aimed at validating our simulations are discussed.