Relativistic nonlinear optics of free electrons in laser-driven plasmas

Author

Umstadter, D.

Author_Institution

Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor, MI, USA

fYear

2000

fDate

6-10 Aug. 2000

Firstpage

301

Abstract

Summary form only given. We discuss recent experimental results obtained in a new regime in the interactions of light with matter enabled by tabletop lasers capable of delivering ultrashort (femtosecond) duration pulses, focusable to intensities exceeding one exawatt per square centimeter (10/sup 18/ W/cm/sup 2/). Novel nonlinear optical phenomena, such as relativistic self-focusing, self-modulation and harmonic generation by Thomson scattering, occur when electrons at the laser focus become relativistic in a single optical cycle. Collimated beams of MeV-energy electrons and ions result from enormous space-charge fields (exceeding 1 GeV/cm), driven by Gbar light pressure.

Keywords

high-speed optical techniques; optical harmonic generation; optical self-focusing; relativistic electron beams; relativistic plasmas; self-phase modulation; wakefield accelerators; Thomson scattering; collimated beams; electron beams; free electrons; harmonic generation; ion beams; laser-driven plasmas; light-matter interactions; nonlinear optical phenomena; relativistic electrons; relativistic nonlinear optics; relativistic self-focusing; self-modulation; single optical cycle; space-charge fields; tabletop lasers; ultrashort duration pulses; Electron beams; Electron optics; Free electron lasers; Light scattering; Nonlinear optics; Optical harmonic generation; Optical pulses; Optical scattering; Particle beam optics; Ultrafast optics;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nonlinear Optics: Materials, Fundamentals, and Applications, 2000. Technical Digest

Conference_Location

Kaua´i-Lihue, HI, USA

Print_ISBN

1-55752-646-X

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NLO.2000.883655

Filename

883655