Direct observation of the pulse width of an ultrashort electron beam

Laser wakefield acceleration has the possibility to generate an ultrashort electron beam of the order of femtoseconds or less. Generation of ultrashort pulses is a key to exploring the dynamical behavior of matter on ever-shorter timescales. We found that the profile of the electron beam was manipulated by rotating the laser polarization. The electron beam is in the laser field, which oscillates the electron beam. From electron oscillations in the image of the electron energy distribution, the electron beam pulse width is estimated to be 1.7 fs (rms). The peak current is 10 kA. (author)