EM Wave Electron Acceleration

Several aspects of the laser electron accelerator concept are studied. The minimum laser intensity necessary for electron trapping is strongly dependent on frequency. A pulse length equal to the plasmon wavelength (2¿ ¿p-1) produces significantly better acceleration than one with half that length. Relativistic plasma effects enhance acceleration and increase the maximum accelerating field. If the laser risetime or intensity is such that electron trapping does not take place, plasma heating by the nonlinear ponderomotive force still occurs producing suprathermal electrons. Application of this mechanism to microwaves has severe drawbacks.