AI-Assisted Bibliometric Analysis of LWFA Research: Trends and Future Directions

This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the global scientific landscape of laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) from 1990 to 2025. Using data extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) and analyzed with Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, the study identifies key publication trends, influential authors, leading countries, prominent journals, and thematic evolution within the field. The findings reveal exponential growth in LWFA-related research, driven by advances in high-power laser technology and controlled injection techniques. Network analyses demonstrate extensive international collaboration and a strong interdisciplinary structure linking plasma physics, optics, and accelerator science. Keyword co-occurrence and burst analyses highlight emerging topics such as ionization injection, dual-stage acceleration, betatron radiation, and machine learning-assisted optimization. These insights delineate both the historical progression and the dynamic frontiers of LWFA, providing a systematic understanding of its development and guiding future research toward the realization of compact, high-quality electron sources and next-generation plasma-based accelerators.