Generation of topologically complex three-dimensional electron beams in a plasma photocathode

Laser-triggered ionization injection is a promising way of generating controllable high-quality electrons in plasma-based acceleration. We show that ionization injection of electrons into a fully nonlinear plasma wave wake using a laser pulse comprising of one or more Laguerre-Gaussian modes with combinations of spin and orbital angular momentum can generate exotic three-dimensional spatial distributions of high quality relativistic electrons. The phase dependent residual momenta and initial positions of the ionized electrons are encoded into their final phase space distributions, leading to complex spatiotemporal structures. The structures are formed as a result of the transverse (betatron) and longitudinal (phase slippage and energy gain) dynamics of the electrons in the wake immediately after the electrons are injected. Theoretical analysis and three-dimensional simulations verify this mapping process leads to the generation of these complex topological beams. These beams may trigger novel beam-plasma interactions as well as produce coherent radiation with orbital angular momentum when sent through a resonant undulator.