Laser Electron Accelerator

TLDR

An intense electromagnetic pulse can generate plasma oscillations via the ponderomotive force, trapping electrons in the wake that are accelerated to high energies, with glass lasers at 10¹⁸ W cm⁻² on 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ plasmas producing GeV per centimeter of acceleration distance. The study explores applications of this acceleration mechanism to particle accelerators and pulsed power devices. Computer simulations confirm the viability of the proposed laser‑driven electron acceleration scheme.

Abstract

An intense electromagnetic pulse can create a weak of plasma oscillations through the action of the nonlinear ponderomotive force. Electrons trapped in the wake can be accelerated to high energy. Existing glass lasers of power density ${10}^{18}$W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ shone on plasmas of densities ${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ can yield gigaelectronvolts of electron energy per centimeter of acceleration distance. This acceleration mechanism is demonstrated through computer simulation. Applications to accelerators and pulsers are examined.