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Novel aspects of direct laser acceleration of relativistic electrons

Part of: Energetic Electrons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2015

A. V. Arefiev Open the ORCID record for A. V. Arefiev [Opens in a new window] ,
A. P. L. Robinson  and
V. N. Khudik
A. V. Arefiev*
Affiliation:
Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
A. P. L. Robinson
Affiliation:
Central Laser Facility, STFC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
V. N. Khudik
Affiliation:
Institute for Fusion Studies, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: alexey@austin.utexas.edu
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Abstract

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We examine the impact of several factors on electron acceleration by a laser pulse and the resulting electron energy gain. Specifically, we consider the role played by: (1) static longitudinal electric field, (2) static transverse electric field, (3) electron injection into the laser pulse, and (4) static longitudinal magnetic field. It is shown that all of these factors lead, under certain conditions, to a considerable electron energy gain from the laser pulse. In contrast with other mechanisms such as wakefield acceleration, the static electric fields in this case do not directly transfer substantial energy to the electron. Instead, they reduce the longitudinal dephasing between the electron and the laser beam, which then allows the electron to gain extra energy from the beam. The mechanisms discussed here are relevant to experiments with under-dense gas jets, as well as to experiments with solid-density targets involving an extended pre-plasma.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 81 , Issue 4 , August 2015 , 475810404
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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