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Title: Self-injection and acceleration of electrons during ionization of gas atoms by a short laser pulse

Journal Article · · Physics of Plasmas
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2187449· OSTI ID:20782756
 [1]
  1. Computational Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, Kettering University, Flint, Michigan 48504 (United States)

Using a relativistic three-dimensional single-particle code, acceleration of electrons created during the ionization of nitrogen and oxygen gas atoms by a laser pulse has been studied. Barrier suppression ionization model has been used to calculate ionization time of the bound electrons. The energy gained by the electrons peaks for an optimum value of laser spot size. The electrons created near the tail do not gain sufficient energy for a long duration laser pulse. The electrons created at the tail of pulse escape before fully interacting with the trailing part of the pulse for a short duration laser pulse, which causes electrons to retain sufficient energy. If a suitable frequency chirp is introduced then energy of the electrons created at the tail of the pulse further increases.

OSTI ID:
20782756
Journal Information:
Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 13, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2187449; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English