Injection dynamics of direct-laser-accelerated electrons in a relativistically transparent plasma

K. Jiang, C. T. Zhou, T. W. Huang, C. N. Wu, L. B. Ju, H. Zhang, S. Z. Wu, T. X. Cai, B. Qiao, M. Y. Yu, and S. C. Ruan
Phys. Rev. E 98, 033206 – Published 14 September 2018

Abstract

The dynamics of electron injection in the direct laser acceleration (DLA) regime is investigated using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and theoretical analyses. It is shown that, as an ultraintense laser pulse propagates into a near-critical density or relativistically transparent plasma, the longitudinal charge-separation electric field excites ion density spikes, which modulate the local electric field. The corresponding electric field acts as a series of potential wells to guide the electrons on the edge of the plasma channel into its center where the DLA can take place. On the other hand, an azimuthal magnetic field is self-generated, and it can deflect the injected electrons from the intense laser-field region. Understanding these physical processes paves the way for further optimizing the properties of direct-laser accelerated electron beams and the associated x- and γ-ray sources.

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  • Received 23 April 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.98.033206

©2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Plasma Physics

Authors & Affiliations

K. Jiang1,2, C. T. Zhou2,3,4,*, T. W. Huang2,3, C. N. Wu1,2, L. B. Ju2,3, H. Zhang2, S. Z. Wu2, T. X. Cai2, B. Qiao4, M. Y. Yu2, and S. C. Ruan2,3

  • 1Graduate School, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100088, People's Republic of China
  • 2Center for Advanced Material Diagnostic Technology, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, People's Republic of China
  • 3College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, People's Republic of China
  • 4HEDPS, Center for Applied Physics and Technology, and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China

  • *zcangtao@sztu.edu.cn

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Vol. 98, Iss. 3 — September 2018

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