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Description
One important application of laser wakefield acceleration is the production of bright x-ray beams generated from the betatron oscillations of electrons in the wake of a laser pulse. The amplitude of the betatron oscillations is directly correlated with key characteristics of the emitted x-ray radiation, such as flux, critical energy, and divergence. We experimentally demonstrate that a shock wave created by a heater beam can increase the amplitude of betatron oscillations with a degree of control, thereby improving the key parameters of the betatron radiation. The increase in the oscillation amplitude was inferred from electron and x-ray diagnostics, as well as through comparisons with particle-in-cell simulations. We observed the stability of the increased amplitude over series of more than 50 shots. The proposed method can be used independently or in conjunction with other techniques to enhance betatron x-ray sources produced by laser wakefield accelerators.
