Enhanced Wakefields for the 1D Laser Wakefield Accelerator

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.4810· OSTI ID:554392

Kingham, R J; Bell, A R ^[1]

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1. Plasma Physics Group, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ (United Kingdom)

The amplitudes of wakefields generated by the ponderomotive force of intense pulses much longer than {lambda}{sub p}/2 are determined using nonlinear, relativistic envelope equations and found to be significantly larger than predicted by linear theory. This is relevant to the self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator; under suitable experimental conditions enhanced wakefields should be large enough to act as the dominant source for seeding Raman forward scattering induced {open_quotes}beam breakup.{close_quotes} Consequently the use of other seeding mechanisms such as Raman backscattering, which is unpredictable, can be avoided. The enhancement mechanism is attributed to an effective bandwidth increase of the laser pulse due to nonlinearities in the response of the plasma to the ponderomotive force. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 554392
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 79; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BACKSCATTERING
LASERS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE
PULSES
RAMAN EFFECT
SCATTERING AMPLITUDES
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS