Title :
Observation of Raman forward scattering and electron acceleration in the relativistic regime
Author :
Modena, Astorre ; Najmudin, Zulfikar ; Dangor, A.E. ; Clayton, C.E. ; Marsh, K.A. ; Joshi, C. ; Malka, Victor ; Darrow, C.B. ; Danson, C.
Author_Institution :
Blackett Lab., Imperial Coll. of Sci., Technol. & Med., London, UK
fDate :
4/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Raman forward scattering (RFS) is observed in the interaction of a high intensity (>1018 W/cm2) short pulse (<1 ps) laser with an underdense plasma (ne~1019 cm -3). Electrons are trapped and accelerated up to 44 MeV by the high-amplitude plasma wave produced by RFS. The laser spectrum is strongly modulated by the interaction, showing sidebands at the plasma frequency. Furthermore, as the quiver velocity of the electrons in the high electric field of the laser beam becomes relativistic, various effects are observed which can be attributed to the variation of electron mass with laser intensity
Keywords :
Raman spectra; collective accelerators; electron accelerators; plasma devices; plasma light propagation; relativistic plasmas; 44 MeV; Raman forward scattering; electron acceleration; electron mass; electron trapping; high intensity short pulse laser; high-amplitude plasma wave; laser intensity; laser spectrum; plasma frequency; relativistic regime; underdense plasma; Acceleration; Electron beams; Frequency; Laboratories; Laser beams; Laser fusion; Optical pulses; Plasma accelerators; Plasma waves; Raman scattering;
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
