Laser Electron Accelerator

1979/07/23 by T. Tajima, J. M. Dawson · 19 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · #Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics #Laser Design and Applications #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications

paper · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.43.267

openalex publication_date 1979/07/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

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 10¹⁸W/cm² shone on plasmas of densities 10¹⁸ 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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• John M. Dawson [wikipedia]