Sub-cycle dynamics in relativistic nanoplasma acceleration.

ABSTRACT: The interaction of light with nanometer-sized solids provides the means of focusing optical radiation to sub-wavelength spatial scales with associated electric field enhancements offering new opportunities for multifaceted applications. We utilize collective effects in nanoplasmas with sub-two-cycle light pulses of extreme intensity to extend the waveform-dependent electron acceleration regime into the relativistic realm, by using 10⁶ times higher intensity than previous works to date. Through irradiation of nanometric tungsten needles, we obtain multi-MeV energy electron bunches, whose energy and direction can be steered by the combined effect of the induced near-field and the laser field. We identified a two-step mechanism for the electron acceleration: (i) ejection within a s

SUBMITTER: Cardenas DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6513988 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature