Dynamics of Space Charge Waves in the Laser Beat Wave Accelerator.
Abstract
The excitation of plasma waves by two laser beams, whose frequency difference is approximately the plasma frequency, is analyzed. Our nonlinear analysis is fully relativistic in the axial and transverse directions and includes mismatching of the laser beat frequency to the plasma frequency, time dependent laser amplitudes, and an applied transverse magnetic field (surfatron configuration). Our analytical results for the large amplitude plasma waves includes an axial constant of motion, accelerating electric field, and its phase velocity. The analytical results in the weak laser power limit are in good agreement with numerical results obtained from the complete equations. The imposed transverse magnetic field is found to increase the effective plasma frequency, but has little effect on the plasma dynamics. Additional keyword: Laser beat wave accelerator. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA149688
Entities
People
- Chai AMei Tang
- Phillip A. Sprangle
- R. N. Sudan
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory