Operating modes of dual-grating dielectric laser accelerators
Dylan S. Black, Zhexin Zhao, Kenneth J. Leedle, Yu Miao, Robert L. Byer, Shanhui Fan, Olav Solgaard
Abstract
In this work, we present a comprehensive theoretical description of the Lorentz force in dual-grating dielectric laser accelerators (DLA). Here we examine the dual-grating DLA under arbitrary illumination conditions, both single-side and dual-side drive. We improve upon previous descriptions of these forces by providing a unified description of all possible operating modes of these devices, and classify the modes into three categories. In particular, we predict the existence of the previously observed ``line modes'' and a novel ``elliptical mode'', provide an experimental demonstration of this new mode, and suggest a possible application for it in improving the resolution of attosecond-scale streak cameras. Finally, we examine several complementary methods of tuning a dual-grating DLA to a desired operating mode---particularly dual-drive phase rotation and translational offset of the grating teeth.