Radially polarized, half-cycle, attosecond pulses from laser wakefields through coherent synchrotronlike radiation

Li, F. Y. and Sheng, Z. M. and Chen, M. and Yu, L. L. and Meyer-ter-Vehn, J. and Mori, W. B. and Zhang, J. (2014) Radially polarized, half-cycle, attosecond pulses from laser wakefields through coherent synchrotronlike radiation. Physical Review E: Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, 90 (4). 043104. ISSN 2470-0053 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.90.043104)

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Abstract

Attosecond bursts of coherent synchrotronlike radiation are found when driving ultrathin relativistic electron disks in a quasi-one-dimensional regime of wakefield acceleration, in which the laser waist is larger than the wake wavelength. The disks of overcritical density shrink radially due to focusing wakefields, thus providing the transverse currents for the emission of an intense, radially polarized, half-cycle pulse of about 100 attoseconds in duration. The electromagnetic pulse first focuses to a peak intensity (7×10^20W/cm^2) 10 times larger than the driving pulse and then emerges as a conical beam. Basic dynamics of the radiative process are derived analytically and in agreement with particle-in-cell simulations. By making use of gas targets instead of solids to form the ultrathin disks, this method allows for high repetition rates required for applications.

ORCID iDs

Li, F. Y. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8638-8779, Sheng, Z. M. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8823-9993, Chen, M., Yu, L. L., Meyer-ter-Vehn, J., Mori, W. B. and Zhang, J.;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:50298
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    23 October 2014
    Published
    23 October 2014
    Published Online
    7 October 2014
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:12 Nov 2014 16:10
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 10:47
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/50298
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