Laser Electron Accelerator
T. TajimaDepartment of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024J. M. DawsonDepartment of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
1979en
ABI
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.
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Cited by 30 references