Open AccessPIC simulation of the transverse wave-breaking in laser wake-field
Author(s) -
Han Xu,
Chang Wen-Wei,
Yan Yin,
H. B. Zhuo,
Yunlong Ma
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
wuli xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 47
ISSN - 1000-3290
DOI - 10.7498/aps.52.1701
Subject(s) - wake , physics , breaking wave , transverse plane , transverse wave , laser , plasma , electron , kinetic energy , atomic physics , optics , quantum electrodynamics , mechanics , wave propagation , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , structural engineering , engineering
This paper focuses on the influence upon the structure of the wake-field and the production of hot electrons due to a finite-width laser of high intensity and ultra-short duration propagation through an underdense plasma. Under the action of lognitudinal and transverse pondermotive forces, the plasma density forms a horseshoe cavity which acts as a moving convex to make the laser pulse self-focusing. The wake wave front curvature increases with time until a transverse wav e breaking occurs which depresses the wave breaking limit of the electrostatic f ield. The decrease of transverse wave breaking pushes more electrons into the ac celerating phase region to be trapped by wake wave and decreases the maximum ele ctronic kinetic energy.